Common buzzard

Buteo buteo

A medium-sized hawk widespread from Europe into western Asia, soaring on broad wings while searching open ground for prey.

Key facts

Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a carnivore animal classified as Bird · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae.
Primary habitats are forest · grassland · mountains, with a range across Palearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
A medium-sized hawk widespread from Europe into western Asia, soaring on broad wings while searching open ground for prey.
Uses woodland edges, farmland, grassland, hills, and mountains, needing trees for nesting and open land for hunting.

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Uses woodland edges, farmland, grassland, hills, and mountains, needing trees for nesting and open land for hunting.

Plumage varies widely from dark brown to pale forms. The wings are broad and the tail is fairly short.

It circles high on thermals and watches from posts or trees before gliding down onto prey.

Rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, insects, and carrion are eaten, with small mammals often dominating.

Stick nests are built in trees and may be reused after repair. Adults bring small mammals and other prey to the chicks.

One of Europe's familiar raptors, it benefits from landscapes that mix woodland and open farmland.