Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Buzzard

For many years Buzzards were persecuted because they preyed upon game birds. They also suffered from the agricultural use of the insecticide DDT which, caused thinning of their eggshells so that they broke when the buzzard attempted to incubate them. In the early 1960s they were quite rare. When persecution ceased (largely) and DDT was banned their populations have recovered and they have reoccupied many areas of the country from which they had disappeared.

They are the most frequently seen bird of prey in Rannoch. Their success is tribute to their versatility. They eat small mammals and birds which they catch, having spotted them while circling at height. If there is a wind they may hover like a huge kestrel. They hover into the wind and it provides lift for them. They may catch and eat mammals up to the size of young rabbits but will also eat earthworms and carrion. They have been know to attempt to predate Osprey chicks and have been observed to snatch a fieldfare that was perched on a wire.

They have a wing span of 4 feet and can be mistaken for eagles by tourists. Although much smaller than golden eagles, they are large enough to steal prey from sparrow hawks and peregrines.

They can often be seen perched on Rannoch telegraph poles from which they glide when disturbed. They nest in trees and build large untidy nests. Buzzards are very vocal and the evocative mewing call is often heard before the bird is seen. When the young are fledging they can be very noisy as they communicate with their parents.

Creative Commons - credit Aviceda

Creative Commons - credit Mark Medcalf