The Common Buzzard is a medium
sized bird of prey whose range extends
throught Europe and also Asia and Africa.
The past ten years have seen a large
increase in numbers in the UK, following
decades of persecution. Common Buzzards
have broad wings and a short tail, enabling
soaring flight on thermals and updraughts.
It has a wide variety of plumages and in
Britain can vary from almost pure white
to black, but is usually shades of brown,
with a pale 'necklace' of feathers.
Common Buzzards favour open countryside
with small areas of woodland or the edges
of more densely wooded areas. They nest
high in a tree, usually building a new nest
each year. The eggs are laid between
March & May, usually 2 or 3 eggs at 2 to 3
day intervals. Incubation is done by the
female, starting when the first egg is laid,
this means that the eggs hatch over a period
of about 1 week. The young are able to fly
within 7-8 weeks of hatching & are fully
independent around 6 weeks later.
