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Dieren en planten

Raptors   White-tailed eagle   Buzzard   Harriers   Falcons   Raptors and owls   

Buzzard

size:

51-57 centimeters
wingspan: 113-128 centimeters

color adults:

extremely variable, often dark brown with light U-shaped breast-band

food:

mostly small mammals and birds, but also frogs, fish and carrion

Dutch status:

nesting bird; seen year round, migratory, winter guest

habitat:

nests on fringes of woodlands high in trees; hunts in open areas such as meadows

reproduction:

maturity: 3 years
number of eggs per nest: 2-4

life span:

8 years (maximum known age: + 28.5 years)

special nature:

bird call sounds like a cat meow

  • Dut: Buizerd
  • Fri: Mûzebiter
  • Eng: Common Buzzard
  • Ger: Mäusebussard
  • Lat: Buteo buteo
  • Fr: Buse variable
print print
Common Buzzard, Johan Krol
© Jeroen Reneerkens (jeroenrene

Buzzard

When attempting to attract a mate, male buzzards fly in a very distinguishing manner known as the rollar coaster. Buzzards mate for life. Both male and female contribute in building a new nest or rebuilding an old one. With their long, broad wings and short stubby tail, they are relatively sluggish flyers, constantly interchanging between short glides and flapping their wings. That is why they hunt mostly mice. However, they are fantastic gliders as they catch the currents. If you see a raptor slowly circling in the sky, it is often a buzzard.

  • Distribution and habitat

    The buzzard is one of the most common raptors in the Benelux. You find them in various types of regions. They prefer varied environments, with woods intermingled with open areas. They nest and spend the night in the woods and hunt in open spaces such as meadows and fields. While driving along the highway, you often see buzzards sitting on a pole or a fence. These make good lookout posts for them when hunting mice or frogs. However, they also sit along side roads waiting for an animal to be hit by a car.

  • Protection
    • Monitoring: Network Ecological Monitoring
    • Policy: Target Species List
    • National legislation: Flora and Fauna Regulation
    • European Agreement: CITES ordinance
    • International: Bern Convention, Bonn Convention
  • Choosing colors

    Buzzards can differ immensely in color. The plumage can be anywhere from practically white, to very dark brown. Buzzards often choose a partner with similar coloring. Usually, the birds with the least pronounced colors are the most successful; they live the longest and reproduce the most.