Hovering Buzzard?

[nigel_b]

OK so I was down at my local hide today along with another birdwatcher nore knowledgeable than me.

There in the distance is a buzzard lazily and lethargically flapping around the sky. No wait a minute, its hovering, tail fanned, must be a kestrel? Too big for a kestrel, surely?

So the question is, do buzzards hover like a kestrel? All I can say is it didnt fly like a kestrel, i.e. wheeling and darting everywhere in frantic flapping of wings, but it definately did hover, and not just momentarily! When it was flying it was definately lazy buzzard slow flapping.

[ron1863]

I don't think they hover but they use air currents and thermals to virtually stay in the one place without using their wings. A Kestrel uses it's wing power.

[chickenzown]

Buzzards DO hover, much like Kestrels, however as you noted they do so in a lazy, almost untidy fashion. They will not hover for long though, probably due to their size/wieght before wheeling away or diving for prey.

[Madelinew]

Any chance it might have been a marsh harrier?

[ChrisJB]

Yes, Buzzards do hover. I've seen them do it umpteen times.

Regards, Chris

[nakedgardener]

Some buzzards do hover, but I think I read somewhere not all of them can do it!

[James M]

I've also seen Sparrowhawks hover, or at least appear to hover.

[PMG]

Buzzards do a fair impression of hovvering - tho its closer to 'hanging still' than a genuine hover like kestrel and sparrowhawks do the same thing including slow circling very high up. IMHO it would not have been a harrier - totally different shape in the sky, wings bent at the 'elbows' and pulled in even more bent when hanging in a strong wind .......

Pauline

[diggleken]

Buzzards do maintain station, using strong wind like Pauline says, not hovering with wingpower like kestrels do, at least not for more than a few wing beats.
Sparrowhawks can hover for a little while too, and are aso good at using thermals like peregrines. multitasking birds! Can be a bit confusing without experience!
Ken

[Picidae]

Honey Buzzard and Rough Legged Buzzard hover proper (and frequently). Too early for Honey Buzzard though and you'd need to have been in the 'right' location for a Rough Legged - recent sightings include Norfolk, Lancs and Isle of Sheppy.

Where did you see it Nigel?

Common Buzzard 'hover' on updraft - they need the rising thermals to hang still in the air for any length of time. They can hang into a head wind but only for brief periods.