From tiny Merlins to enormous White-tailed Eagles, the UK’s birds of prey come in all shapes and sizes. These masterful predators are a real treat to see, but they’re often super-fast and many species look quite similar, which can make identifying them a challenge. In this guide, we share some simple ID tips to help you.
Buzzard numbers have recovered from a low point in the mid-1900s and they are now on the Birds of Conservation Concern Green List, meaning that they’re doing well.
However, Buzzards are one of many raptor species illegally persecuted in the UK. To find out how we’re working to protect our amazing birds of prey, visit our Bird of prey persecution hub.
Buzzards are birds of the countryside, so you’re unlikely to see one in urban areas. Look out for them perching on lampposts and fences at the side of roads or walking through fields. You could come across a Buzzard almost anywhere in the UK.
Buzzards soar on thermals high above woodlands, open countryside and even motorways, looking for prey, including rabbits, rodents and birds. They often feed on carrion, so you might see them feasting on roadkill, or even patrolling along the ground in search of earthworms.
Birds of prey are being shot, trapped and poisoned across the UK. Give a regular gift and help keep them in our skies.
Head outside and discover fascinating birds each month. Read on for top ID tips, what to listen for, and where to see them.
They are a large raptor, with broad wings and short, broad tail with a dark band. They have a crescent shape on the breast and dark brown on the upper wings. They can be varied in colour with some birds being very dark, others being very pale. They will often be seen soaring, holding their wings in a shallow 'v' and producing a mew call.
The Rough-legged Buzzard is a winter visitor to eastern England and Scotland, breeding in Fennoscandia. They are slightly larger, with longer wings and tail. Their upperparts are grey-brown and tail is white with a black band at the end. They can be mistaken for pale Buzzards so look out for the tail pattern.
Despite their size, Buzzards have a diverse diet from worms, reptiles, small mammals and carrion.
They are now widespread and will choose tall trees and craggy areas for nesting.
They will begin nesting in April where they will use a nest made of sticks and lined with moss and bracken. They will reuse the same nest site each year, adding materials each time. Both adults will incubate and feed the chicks.
On average, 12 years but the oldest on record was an impressive 30 years old.
No, they remain in the UK all year round.
No, after years of persecution, they are now our most widespread raptor however are still targeted in illegal persecution.
