Buzzard facts for kids

Jackal buzzard

A buzzard in biology is a member of the genus Buteo. In general talk it may be one of several large birds.

Old World

In the Old World buzzard can mean:

• One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings.
• In particular, those in the genus Buteo. In the Old World, members of this genus are called "buzzards", but "hawk" may be more common in North America.
• Specifically, in Europe, the common buzzard is Buteo buteo. Most people call this bird a 'buzzard'.
• Any other raptor with the word buzzard as part of its name.

New World

In the New World 'buzzard' may mean:

• A vulture. Mostly the American black vulture and turkey vulture. It may be used as a general name for vultures.
• In parts of the United States where they are thought to be a pest, the name is used in a bad way to mean a bird of prey. Mostly it is used for the Cooper's hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk the red-tailed hawk or the duck hawk.

Buteo species

Scientifically, these are all buzzards.

• Common buzzard (Buteo buteo)
• Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
• Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus)
• Rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
• Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis)
• Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)
• Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus )
• Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
• Roadside hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
• Ridgway's hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)
• White-rumped hawk (Buteo leucorrhous)
• Short-tailed hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
• White-throated hawk (Buteo albigula)
• White-tailed hawk (Buteo albicaudatus)
• Galápagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis)
• Red-backed hawk (Buteo polyosoma)
• Puna hawk (Buteo poecilochrous)
• Gray hawk (Buteo nitidus)
• Zone-tailed hawk (Buteo albonotatus )
• Hawaiian hawk (Buteo solitarius)
• Rufous-tailed hawk (Buteo ventralis)
• Mountain buzzard (Buteo oreophilus)
• Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus)
• Upland buzzard (Buteo hemilasius)
• Red-necked buzzard (Buteo auguralis)
• Augur buzzard, Buteo augur
• Archer's buzzard, Buteo archeri
• Jackal buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus)

Other species known as "buzzard"

• Black-breasted buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon)
• Lizard buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)
• Grasshopper buzzard (Butastur rufipennis)
• White-eyed buzzard (Butastur teesa)
• Rufous-winged buzzard (Butastur liventer)
• Grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus)
• Black-chested buzzard-eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
• The honey-buzzards, genus Pernis, look something like Buteo buzzards. They feed on wasp nests and larvae.
  • European or Eurasian Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
  • Oriental honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)
  • Barred honey-buzzard (Pernis celebensis)
• Other genus of honey buzzards
  • Black honey buzzard (Henicopernis infuscatus)
  • Long-tailed honey buzzard (Henicopernis longicauda)