| The Buzzard has become again, after a decline
in numbers following persecution by man and the loss of much of their main
food source, rabbits, due to myxomatosis; a common sight throughout Devon
and Cornwall. These photographs were taken on Dartmoor but we have seen
them in inner Plymouth as well as by the coast. A big bird with dark brown
upper-parts, paler under-parts, a short neck, broad wings and a short rounded
tail. The female is slightly larger than the male growing up to 57 cm long
and weighing up to 1300 gm (3 lb). Young birds tend to have lighter under-parts.
They hunt either by soaring over open ground or by perching on tree branches,
telegraph poles or similar locations from where they can keep a sharp lookout
for prey. Rabbits are an important part of their diet but they also hunt
voles, birds, reptiles and amphibians. They will also feed on carrion. |
