Buteo buteo
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The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the hawk family (Accipitridae). In Georgia it is a year-round resident and also occurs during passage migration and winter. At species level body length is about 40–58 cm, with a wingspan of about 109–140 cm. It is not a direct threat to people. IUCN lists the common buzzard as Least Concern. The 2024 checklist of the birds of Georgia also gives it national LC status. People sometimes call it a “common eagle”, but a buzzard is not an eagle: it belongs to the genus Buteo.
Identification
The common buzzard is a medium-sized, broad-winged raptor with a fairly short tail. Plumage is highly variable: some birds are almost entirely dark brown, while others are much paler. In Georgia it is a year-round resident, though additional birds occur during migration and winter. It is most often confused with European honey-buzzard, long-legged buzzard, or rough-legged buzzard. It is not an eagle.
The common buzzard is about 40–58 cm long, with a wingspan of about 109–140 cm. Mass is often about 800–1200 g. Females are usually larger than males. The head is rounded, the bill relatively short, the wings broad, and the tail medium or short. The underwing often shows a clear dark carpal patch. Plumage is especially variable, from almost dark brown to very pale forms. Male and female are difficult to separate by colour alone.
The common buzzard has several forms. The steppe buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus) is usually smaller and more agile and is often more rufous. This is the form that passes through the Batumi migration corridor in large numbers in autumn. The Caucasian form, often referred to as B. b. menetriesi, is described in some guides as a larger and relatively paler bird. Young birds are often more barred or scaly below. Exact subspecies identification in nature is not always simple, so species-level field identification is more reliable.
European honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) can look similar to common buzzard, but it has a longer tail, a relatively smaller pigeon-like head, and flatter wings in flight. Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is often paler or more rufous, with longer legs and a tail that is often pale with a dark terminal band. Rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus) occurs in Georgia mainly during migration and winter. It often has a white tail with a dark terminal band and feathered legs. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is much larger than common buzzard, while Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) is much smaller, with a long tail and short broad wings.
The common buzzard is not a direct threat to people. Do not pick it up: its strong talons may injure you. In Georgia, a medium-sized brown raptor seen by a road, over a meadow, or at a woodland edge is often a buzzard rather than an eagle.
The common buzzard occurs in Georgia throughout the year, also takes part in seasonal migration, and remains in winter. It prefers semi-open habitats: woodland edges, tree-covered slopes, meadows, farmland, and foothills where it can hunt over open ground. In autumn, especially impressive passage is documented in the Batumi migration corridor. Large numbers of steppe buzzards (B. b. vulpinus) are counted each year from the Sakhalvasho and Shuamta watchpoints. Long-term data show hundreds of thousands of individuals passing in an average season, with the peak mainly in late September and early October. These numbers refer to the migratory stream, not to the size of Georgia’s breeding population. This page does not have a complete distribution map by region or municipality.
The common buzzard is an opportunistic predator. Its main food is often small mammals, especially mouse-like rodents, though it also catches birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects. It sometimes feeds on carrion too. When hunting, it often sits in a tree, on a pole, or on another raised perch and watches the ground. Over open slopes it often circles on broad wings.
Related guides
Questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Common buzzard.
Yes. The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a confirmed species in Georgia. According to the 2024 checklist, it is a year-round resident and also occurs during migration and winter.
The common buzzard may be seen throughout the year near woodland edges, tree-covered slopes, meadows, and farmland. In autumn, especially large numbers pass through the Batumi migration corridor. One of the main watch areas is around Sakhalvasho and Shuamta.
No. The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is not an eagle. It belongs to the genus Buteo, while eagles belong to other genera, including Aquila. The official Georgian name is ჩვეულებრივი კაკაჩა. The folk name “common eagle” is often used because of its size and soaring silhouette, but it is taxonomically incorrect.
Look for medium size, broad wings, a fairly short tail, and often a dark carpal patch on the underwing. Plumage is very variable, so colour alone is not reliable. European honey-buzzard has a longer tail and a relatively smaller head, while eagles are usually much larger.
The common buzzard is about 40–58 cm long, with a wingspan of about 109–140 cm. Mass is often 800–1200 g. The steppe form is usually smaller.
The common buzzard mainly feeds on small mammals, though it also catches other small vertebrates and invertebrates.
The common buzzard occurs in Georgia throughout the year. In autumn, especially large passage is recorded in the Batumi migration corridor, with the peak mainly in late September and early October.
The common buzzard is harmless to people if you do not disturb or pick it up. IUCN lists it globally as Least Concern, and the 2024 checklist of the birds of Georgia also gives it national LC status. It is not included on Georgia’s 2014 Red List. Do not catch wild buzzards. Do not catch wild birds.
References
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
Prepared by the Reptiles.ge editorial team from the sources listed here.
