Common Buzzard - a master of flying over fields and forests

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Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is one of the most common birds of prey in Europe. It is recognized by its broad wings, slow soaring in the sky, and loud call, reminiscent of a cat's meow.

General classification 📘

The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)

Type: Chordal (Chordata)

Class: Birds (Aves)

Row: Falcons (Accipitriformes)

Family: Hawk's eyes (Accipitridae)

Gender: Buzzard (Buteo)

View: Buteo buteo

Appearance 🦅

Body length: 51-57 cm

Wingspan: 110-130 cm

Weight: 600-1400 g (females are larger than males)

Color scheme: varies from light brown to almost black, often with a light lump

Oko: yellow-brown, with a penetrating look

Beak: hook-shaped, strong

Wings: wide, rounded

Habitat and range 🌍

Distribution: almost all of Europe, part of Asia, North Africa

Nesting sites: forests, forest belts, beams, near open fields

Migration: Partially migratory - northern populations migrate south in winter

Behavior and lifestyle 🌤️

Type of activity: daily report

Flight: slow, smooth hovering flight, sometimes at high altitude

Territoriality: Protects its territory, especially during the nesting season

Sounds: a loud "peeee" or "quiaa" - often heard high in the sky

Food 🍽️

Type: predator

Main meal:

- Rodents (voles, mice)

- frogs, lizards, snakes

- small birds

- insects, earthworms

Hunting tactics: Usually watches from a height or sits in a tree, waiting for prey

Reproduction 🪺

Mating season: March-May

Nest: large, built on trees (sometimes on rocks), often used for many years

Masonry: 2-4 eggs

Incubation: about 33-35 days

Chicks: hatch covered with down, in the nest - up to 50 days

Parents: Both are involved in feeding

Life expectancy ⏳

In the wild: up to 20 years old

In captivity: sometimes more than 25 years

Preservation status 🛡️

IUCN: the lowest risk (Least Concern)

Threats:

- pesticide poisoning

- illegal hunting

- collisions with vehicles

Protection: protected by the laws of many countries, in particular the European Birds Directive

Interesting facts 🤓

- ✅ The color is very variable - from almost white to chocolate brown

- ✅ Often hovers over highways - there are many dead animals there

- ✅ Its cry is often used in movies instead of the sound of eagles

- ✅ In some regions, it is called "mouser" because of its favorite prey

Conclusion ✅

Common buzzard - is not just a bird of prey, but a faithful guardian of forests and fields. Its presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem, where the calm soaring of a bird of prey reigns in the air. It shows that beauty can be harsh and power can be silent 🦅🌾

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