Buzzard

The Buzzard is a medium-sized bird of prey and the most common one in Britain. It is often seen flying over farmland and the edges of woodlands. Adult Buzzards have wide, rounded wings and a short, fan-shaped tail. Their feathers can range from dark brown to pale cream, usually with a light-coloured chest marked with darker streaks. You often hear their distinctive mewing call before you see them in the sky. The Buzzard is found across Europe and Asia and lives in most parts of the UK throughout the year. Its numbers have greatly increased after a time when it was heavily hunted. It prefers areas where woodlands mix with open land. You can often spot it sitting openly on fence posts or telegraph poles while it looks for small animals to eat, especially rabbits and voles. It will also eat dead animals and earthworms when they are available.