Feeding Habits of Buzzards

[Beekeeper]

Driving across the forest the other day, a Buzzard flew across the front of the car level with the bonnett which was unusual as i normally see them very high up soaring on the thermals, i realised why as it went off to one side of the car, it had obviously just caught its evening meal as it had what looked like a snake in its mouth.

I always thought Buzzards survived on small mammals, is this normal behaviour?

BK

[Dogghound]

Yes buzzards and indeed several other birds of prey will regularly take snakes.

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Beekeeper,

Yep, Iv'e seen Buzzards flying over with snakes in thier talons on the New Forest before. Not that often but it does happen - they'll eat just about anything they can.

[sidewalkdoctor]

Go here Buzzard snatches and kills rare bird - Telegraph for what a buzzard will eat......

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Hi Beekeeper,

Yep, Iv'e seen Buzzards flying over with snakes in thier talons on the New Forest before. Not that often but it does happen - they'll eat just about anything they can.

Thank you for the reply i never knew that, perhaps the bird had the snake in its beak becuase it was actually eating it at the side of the road and i disturbed it driving past.

I didn't actually notice the Buzzard on the ground but as it was flying so low it must have taken off quite nearby.

BK

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by sidewalkdoctor

Go here Buzzard snatches and kills rare bird - Telegraph for what a buzzard will eat......

Thank you for the link sidewalkdoctor, what an amazing incident to capture on camera.

BK

[andywolves]

I had a really interesting chat with an RSPB warden the other week, he was saying that one of the reasons that crows mob buzzards is to get them below the tree line as they often 'cruise' around looking for nests with either eggs or chicks as this provides a quick easy meal. Once they are below the nest level they often leave them alone and can often be seen feeding on the ground together.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Hi Beekeeper,

Yep, Iv'e seen Buzzards flying over with snakes in thier talons on the New Forest before. Not that often but it does happen - they'll eat just about anything they can.

Oooh I hope they're not eating smooth snakes!!

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by andywolves

I had a really interesting chat with an RSPB warden the other week, he was saying that one of the reasons that crows mob buzzards is to get them below the tree line as they often 'cruise' around looking for nests with either eggs or chicks as this provides a quick easy meal. Once they are below the nest level they often leave them alone and can often be seen feeding on the ground together.

In The Highlands, mobbing crows often will pinpoint the location of a sitting eagle - just one of the ways you can spot them in fact. For eagles - both golden and white-tailed, crows must be the biggest irritation in their lives. They are constantly subject to being mobbed - be they flying or perched.

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Oooh I hope they're not eating smooth snakes!!

Its possible mate.