Differentiating buzzards

[afcbm]

Hi,

re looking up at a flying buzzard

Given the variety of colouring even within one species of buzzard, what should I be looking for in particular that indicates if it's common, honey,rough-legged etc. Is there a way that's fool-proof (dealing with a fool here I'm afraid! )

Best regards

[Livster]

yikes, a tricky one and I hope that I don't make myself look like an idiot but... a honey buzzard has a longer tail which will have three dark bands across it, it has a smaller head (a bit like a cuckoo) with a pointed beak. It has a pale underside with sort of tigery stripes or a heavily spotted pattern (the pattern varies a great deal) across the under-wings and belly. When they soar they hold their wing tips either level or slightly drooped.
Rough legged buzzards are a bit more difficult, they are a little bit bigger than the standard buzzard and may sport whitish patches on the primaries (although this might not be much help). Buzzards are stockier and generally have browner heads, although there are paler versions. Buzzards have a finely barred tail and have a pale u shaped bit across their belly, rough legged don’t.
Hope that I have been some help…

[Rob_D]

Rough-legged have a very visible white inner tail which really sticks out, and they have dark trailing bands to wings and tail. Some Common Buzzards can be very pale, but not with that kind of markings.

Another clue might be season - Honey Buzzard are not around in winter, Rough-legged much more likely in winter, and mosly Eastern UK.

[billybirder]

Interesting question. They do vary quite a lot in colouring.. Last week above the A27 near Chichester I saw a large, very dark looking buzzard. The sun was bright and low, so the darkness wan't really an issue, but I was struck by the long tail and the almost stationary hover..wings looking almost flat... despite unremarkable wind. It's hard when driving but you've just got to tear your eyes away to where they need to be.... but any ideas folks? (Obvioulsy common buzzard is the most likely..)

[Livster]

Any chance that it could be a red kite? I have seen one or two just north of Fareham on the A32.

[billybirder]

Originally Posted by Livster

Any chance that it could be a red kite? I have seen one or two just north of Fareham on the A32.

Thanks Livster .I'd like to think so..! I've only yet seen one possible on Hayling though I know we are getting the odd few. Funnily it crossed my mind that it might be a red kite, but I didn't see a forked tail. But from the road I guess I wouldn't necessarily until I was under it, by which time of course (lacking a convertible.. )..

[willowjay]

If it helps there are certainly red kites in the Chichester area. I have seen one a couple of times on the A27, and I got a good look as I was the passenger, not the driver Buzzards are very common in this area, seen almost every day, sometimes in groups of 2 or 3.

[billybirder]

Originally Posted by willowjay

If it helps there are certainly red kites in the Chichester area. I have seen one a couple of times on the A27, and I got a good look as I was the passenger, not the driver Buzzards are very common in this area, seen almost every day, sometimes in groups of 2 or 3.

Oh no... I have to travel the A27 frequently.. how will I keep my eyes on the road! Agree the area seems very attractive for buzzards, hence even though I didn't know what I saw, I kind of felt it wasn't "just" a buzzard. Love to see buzzards though, especially when there's a group.
Last time I took a second look at an "unusual buzzard" in this area it was an osprey!

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by afcbm

re looking up at a flying buzzard

Given the variety of colouring even within one species of buzzard, what should I be looking for in particular that indicates if it's common, honey,rough-legged etc. Is there a way that's fool-proof (dealing with a fool here I'm afraid! )

The honest answer? There is no truely 'fool-proof' way of telling I'm afraid.
With experience it is actually quite eay to tell Honey-buzzards from the other two by shape alone (the longer tail and small head mentioned previously), but an inexperienced observer can 'see' these features on a Common Buzzard.

I would say that the best thing to do if you thing that you might have a Honey-buzzard (not likely now before May), or a Rough-legged Buzzard, is to take note of shape and other plumage characteristics, but if there is one feature to concentrate more on it is probably tail pattern. Honey-buzzards have a relatively plain tail with an obvious terminal band, and two thinner bands nearer the base. Common Buzzards have a finely barred tail, with an obvious terminal band in adults. Rough-legged Buzzards have a largely white tail with an obvious terminal band (two or more thinner bands near the end of the tail in adult males). Beware of the occasional adult Common Buzzard with a largely white tail, both above and below, with only the terminal band obvious though.