Buzzard

[nanila]

When I got up this morning and pulled the curtains on an upstairs window, I saw a buzzard sitting in the field over the canal. I was still rather groggy so these aren't the best shots, but it was exciting seeing one so close, and so still.

Comments

[redheadedfemme]

Are you sure that's a buzzard? It looks like a hawk of some kind.

[elainegrey]

Buzzard is used for Buteo species around much of the world. In North America we call the black vulture and the turkey vulture buzzard: i don't think the OP means buzzard in that sense.

[nanila]

Yes, pretty sure it's Buteo buteo. We see them a lot around here; the underwing is quite distinctive although you can't see it in these photos.

[alatefeline]

Wow!

[nanila]

We usually see them circling above us, very rarely on the ground!

[shirebound]

Oooh! That flying shot is especially great.

[nanila]

Thank you! It was in a field with a few ponies. When the ponies saw me taking an interest in the buzzard, they started to head over to have a nosey, and then it took off.

[yourlibrarian]

Cool!

We have some Cooper's Hawks in the area but I hardly ever get the chance to snap photos of them -- I either don't have my camera or just can't get a photo fast enough.

[nanila]

Raptors do seem to notice very quickly whenever a human's attention is directed toward them, particularly if it's accompanied by a lens!

[blackmare]

Wow. How big are these birds? Because that’s what I know as a hawk, but it looks like it’s as big as the things we call buzzards.

[nanila]

They're large - not quite eagle-sized, but not far off!

[turlough]

What a fabulous thing to see first thing in the morning! I've never seen a buzzard on the ground, just flying high overhead.

[nanila]

Yes, I've never seen one hanging out like that in a field. Perhaps it had just had an early snack and was enjoying some post-prandial torpor.