Buteo buteo

The buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a diurnal bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, and is one of the most widespread and easily observed species in Italy. It inhabits wooded areas interspersed with open spaces, where it hunts mainly small mammals. In the Aosta Valley, it nests both in trees and on rock faces, within the upper limit of the forests.

A medium-sized bird of prey, recognisable by its broad, rounded wings and relatively short tail, with a dark terminal band and fine barring. Length 51–57 cm (tail 16–18 cm), wingspan 113–128 cm, average weight 520–1,350 g, with females up to 5–10 per cent larger than males. The plumage varies greatly from one individual to another, ranging from almost entirely pale to almost entirely dark, but the pattern remains consistent: dark brown upperparts, paler underparts, often crossed by a dark collar. In flight, the head appears tucked between the shoulders and the wings are held slightly raised, forming an open V-shape; when perched, the bird appears stocky, with the head tucked between the shoulders.

It hunts both from perches — poles, cables, exposed branches at the edge of open areas — and whilst hovering in flight, utilising the updrafts generated by the ground. Among its documented flight behaviours is the so-called ‘Holy Spirit’ manoeuvre: the bird remains virtually motionless for a few moments, with its wings outstretched and facing into the wind. The typical call, uttered mainly during courtship displays, is a prolonged cry described as resembling a meow. The nest is built in trees or on rock faces; the clutch, usually comprising 2–3 eggs (more rarely 1–4), is laid between March and June; incubation, in which both sexes take part, lasts around 34 days, and the young remain in the nest for 40–50 days after hatching.

Its conservation status, according to the IUCN Red List, is Least Concern (LC) both globally and for the Italian population, which was assessed in 2012 as having a large range (over 20,000 km²) and increasing, with an estimated 8,000–16,000 mature individuals showing an upward trend between 2000 and 2010. In this case, the two assessment levels coincide, without the divergence that must instead be assessed on a case-by-case basis for other species.

In the Aosta Valley and other mountainous regions, the buzzard nests not only in wooded areas but also, quite frequently, on rock faces, generally remaining within the upper limit of the forests. The highest density is found at altitudes below 1,500 m, although sightings are possible up to altitudes close to 2,000 m.

When distinguishing it from similar species found in the same area, thegolden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) can be recognised by its significantly larger size (wingspan of up to 240 cm compared with a maximum of around 140 cm for the buzzard) and by its preference for rocky habitats at higher altitudes. The honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), present in Italy only from May to September, has slightly longer wings and tail, a small, protruding head, and holds its wings horizontally in flight rather than in a V-shape. The black kite (Milvus migrans) is distinguished by its forked tail, which is quite different from the buzzard’s rounded tail.

As a diurnal species, the buzzard is one of the easiest Italian birds of prey to spot: it can be seen hovering over open areas and forest edges, or perched on poles, cables or exposed branches whilst waiting to spot prey.

Fact Sheet

Common name: Buzzard (common buzzard)
Scientific name: Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Species: diurnal bird of prey
Family: Accipitridae
Distribution: most of Europe andNorth-West Asia, with populations also in southern Africa and south-western India; found throughout Italy, a predominantly sedentary species
Habitat: wooded areas alternating with open spaces, from sea level to submontane and montane altitudes
Diet: small mammals (particularly voles and wild mice), reptiles, birds, invertebrates; occasionally carrion