Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
DESCRIPTION
Medium to Large sized raptor. Adults are similar in size the male being smaller when seen beside the female. Both have distinctive dark brown plumage with barred chest and belly feathers and a dark sub-terminal tail band. Adults also display a light crescent shape across the breast feathers. Juveniles have lighter eye colour with less distinctive tail bars and much lighter streaked feathers on underparts.
HABITAT
Mainly low lying pastures and farmland with dense tree lines for shelter. Preferred area's include bogs and wetlands with open perches for hunting and trees and crags for nest building.
FOOD
Mainly prey on small mammals mice, voles, rabbits also eat frogs, earth worms, beetles and grasshoppers. Food depends on habitat and available prey and can be supplemented by carrion found around roads and motorways.
BREEDING
Usually build nests between January and March, egg laying takes place between mid March to early May, young in nest early May to late June. Clutch sizes range between 1 and 3 eggs occasionally up to 5 eggs.