- Life expectancy
- Global status
Identification
A compact body, broad wings and a short, fanned tail mark its flight silhouette. Plumage colour alone is not enough for identification: almost white, brown and very dark birds all belong to the same species.
Colours
Adult · Intermediate
Brown plumage with pale, variably spotted areas on the breast and belly and barred flight feathers.
The transitions between pale, intermediate and dark Common Buzzards are continuous. The three views show examples of natural individual colour variation, not separate subspecies or fixed colour classes.
Behaviour
It often perches conspicuously on posts or circles over its territory. In spring, mewing calls accompany its display flights. It needs open areas for foraging, even if the nest site is in woodland.
Breeding & rearing
The pair builds its stick nest in tall trees such as oaks or pines, often at woodland edges. Suitable nests can be reused and repaired. Good access to prey nearby is crucial for raising the young.
