Golden Eagle vs Buzzard

The Golden Eagle is a large, strong bird of prey with dark brown feathers and distinctive golden-coloured feathers on the head and back of the neck. Adults are between 75 and 90 centimetres long, with wingspans reaching up to 2.2 metres. When flying, they hold their long wings in a shallow V shape, with spread-out primary feathers at the tips and a broad, slightly rounded tail. Young birds have white patches near the base of their wings and a white tail with a dark band at the end. In the UK, Golden Eagles are mostly found in the Scottish Highlands and nearby islands. There are small numbers in southern Scotland, and there have been efforts to reintroduce them in southern England. They prefer open upland areas like moorland, mountainous regions, and remote valleys. They need large open spaces to hunt and cliffs or old trees to build their nests. Golden Eagles hunt animals such as mountain hares and rabbits, as well as birds like grouse. They also feed on dead animals when available.

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.