Buzzard Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Buzzards are fairly common birds of prey in the UK and have large rounded wings and a relatively short tail. They can range in appearance between dark brown to far lighter shades but they all share dark wingtips and fine stripes on their tails.
They have sharp hooked beaks and large powerful feet and sharp talons. When in flight they hold their wings in a shallow “V” shape with their tails fanned out. This makes it easy to recognise Buzzards when in flight.
In this article we’ll be taking a close look at the dietary habits, breeding habits, size and weight, conservation status and what predators Buzzards face. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
The Dietary Habits Of The Buzzard
Buzzards are opportunistic carnivores and feed on a variety of small to medium-sized animals.
What Does A Buzzard Eat?
The diet of the Buzzard consists of small mammals like rabbits, mice and voles, small birds, lizards, frogs and carrion. They can often be found scavenging dead animals especially during winter months when food is harder to find.
When food is particularly scarce, Buzzards will also eat insects and worms.
What To Feed A Baby Buzzard?
Parents bring their chicks high protein foods which help them grow and develop at a rapid rate. Both parents will bring small mammals and birds back to the nest before ripping the prey into smaller bite-sized pieces.
Breeding Habits Of Buzzards
In spring, mating pairs of Buzzards perform impressive courtship flights which include soaring, circling and dramatic dives. The pair will also call to each other with a high-pitched “mew” sound.
In many cases, the male will present the female with food items to signify that he will be a good provider. Once they have constructed their nest, the female will lay 3 to 5 eggs which are incubated for around 33 to 35 days.
Both parents hunt and bring food back to the nest to feed their brood until the young are able to support themselves.
Do Buzzards Mate For Life?
Buzzards usually form monogamous pairs and stay together for many years, often for life. They will usually return to their previous year’s nesting site and refurbish their old nest.
The task of refurbishing the nest is undertaken by both the male and the female and further strengthens their pair bond.
The Size & Weight Of Buzzard
Buzzards are large birds of prey and although male and female Buzzards share similar colours and markings, there are a few subtle differences. Females typically have broader wings and a more robust appearance.
How Much Does A Buzzard Weigh?
The differences between male and female Buzzards also extends to their weight. Females tend to be larger than males and weigh anywhere between 690 to 1300 grams. Whereas male Buzzards tend to weigh between 545 to 1000 grams.
How Big Is A Buzzard?
The average length of an adult Buzzard is around 50 to 58 cm with a wingspan of around 112 to 129 cm. Again, it’s the female that tends to be slightly larger than the male.
Are Buzzards Under Threat?
Buzzards are generally not under any significant threat anywhere in their European or Asian range. They have relatively stable populations due in part to legal protections and partly due to their adaptability when it comes to food.
Having said that, they do face certain problems which include; habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanisation. Pesticides and rodenticides also cause some accidental poisoning of Buzzards.
In some areas, Buzzards are targeted by hunters and farmers who see them as a threat to game birds and livestock. Plus there are a number of Buzzard deaths each year due to them colliding with vehicles and power lines.
What Eats A Buzzard?
Buzzards have few natural predators due to their size and ability to defend themselves. However, eggs and young chicks in the nest are vulnerable to predation by larger birds and mammals.
Including; Eagles, Crows and Ravens as well as foxes and martens that can climb trees and take eggs and chicks from the nest.
Where Can I See Buzzards In The UK?
Buzzards are fairly common and widespread throughout the British Isles. They are mainly spotted in rural or semi-rural areas. Some of the best places to see Buzzards in the UK include;
- Scotland
Buzzards are fairly widespread in the Scottish Highlands. - Wales
Wales has one of the largest Buzzard populations in the UK. - The Lake District & The Peak District
Buzzards are often seen in these national parks where they take full advantage of upland areas and open spaces. - South West England
There are many reported sightings of Buzzards in Devon and Cornwall.
Buzzards favour open countryside with nearby woodlands for nesting. They are commonly found soaring over fields, moorlands, and woodlands.
They are also often spotted perching on fence posts or trees along motorways and major roads, as these provide good vantage points for spotting prey.
SEE ALSO: Red Kite Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
Buzzards can be seen all across the UK, especially in rural areas, woodlands, and places like Wales, the Scottish Highlands, and national parks like the Lake District and the Peak District.
The types of habitat that Buzzards prefer are open countryside with nearby woodlands, where they can hunt and nest.
Buzzards eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and carrion.
