The Life of Animals | Common Buzzard | This broad-winged raptor has a wide variety of plumages, and in Europe can be confused with the similar Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) and the only distantly related Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), the which mimics the Common Buzzard's plumage for a degree of protection from Northern Goshawks The plumage can Vary in Britain from almost pure white to black, but is usually shades of brown, with a pale 'necklace' of feathers. Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but Several may be seen together on migration or in good habitat.
Pairs mate for life. To attract a mate (or impress his existing mate) the male performs a ritual aerial display before the beginning of spring. The Steppe Buzzard, B. vulpinus breeds Eastward from east Europe to the Far East, excluding Japan. In the open country favored on the wintering grounds, Steppe Buzzards are Often seen perched on roadside telephone poles. Steppe Buzzard is some times split as a separate species, B. vulpinus. Compared to the nominate form, it is slightly Smaller (45-50 cm long), longer winged and longer tailed.
The tail of vulpinus is paler than the nominate form, and quite Rufous Often, recalling North American Red-tailed Hawk. Adults have a black trailing edge to the wings, and Often Both morphs have plain underparts, lacking the breast band frequently seen in B. b. Buteo The Forest Buzzard, B. (B) is another form trizonatus Sometimes upgraded to a full species, though most recent authorities have placed it as a subspecies of another species, the Mountain Buzzard, B. oreophilus. The juvenile differs from the same-age Steppe Buzzard by its white front and tear-shaped flank streaks. The Forest Buzzard, as its name implies, inhabits evergreen woodlands, including introduced eucalyptus and pines, whereas Steppe Buzzard prefers the more open habitats.
