Common buzzard

Common buzzards are the most common bird of prey in the Netherlands with approximately 10.000 couples. If you drive through Holland, you'll find them all along the road on fences in the meadows. In the winter there are even more, because birds of Scandinavia drift to the South. Many stay in the Netherlands. They can often be recognized by their lighter plumage.
To identify other birds of prey, like Honey buzzards and Rough-legged buzzards, you have to be familiar with the Common buzzard.


All my pictures can be found here.

Field characteristics

As with many birds of prey, females are much bigger than males. Buzzards are extremely variable in plumage and the most important characteristics are the white band on the chest (Majors chain) and the banded tail. Young birds have comma's on the wrists, while adults have larger spots.

Sound:

The sound is like the miaowing of a cat. Very cool to hear a couple calling each other while flying through a forest.