Seen in central scotland this summer
2006-09-27 10:23:24 · 19 answers · asked by robben 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Just to avoid confusion, in Europe, buzzard refers to the common buzzard (buteo buteo), and related species which are large birds of prey, that look like small eagles. In the US, buzzard is an alternative name for the black and turkey vultures, which are more closely related to storks than birds of prey.
Common buzzards don't generally hunt and feed together but they are so numerous in Scotland that there must be large overlaps of territory, allowing such congregations to occur.
My guess is there was a particularly good thermal being generated at that spot and they were using it to gain height, after which they would then spread out to hunt.
2006-09-27 21:59:33 · answer #1 · answered by Jobbo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but several may be seen together on migration or in good habitat. The Victorian writer on Dartmoor, William Crossing, noted that he had on occasions seen flocks of 15 or more at some places.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Buzzard
PS its funny because when I read your question I thought you were referring to a carrion bird like a vulture which is sometimes called a buzzard here in Canada. Until I looked it up and realized that is what I would call a hawk..... wierd!
2006-09-28 17:36:52 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buzzards are not solitary..I see them in groups all the time, eating, mating, and just resting. Probably circling around a carcass or catching some thermals.
2006-09-27 17:29:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
vultures/buzzards are no solitary birds. Actually, they often feed together, it's quite normal.
2006-09-27 22:23:08 · answer #4 · answered by natureutt78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a thermal, simply attracting local birds, or maybe a family/s before the young depart forever.
2006-09-28 13:27:48 · answer #5 · answered by ALAN Q 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because they're solitary doesn't mean they can't be found together.
Buzzards go where the food is. If there's a fresh carcas to be had, they'll swarm around it. But its not a social behavior.
2006-09-27 17:26:44 · answer #6 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that they are solitary for the most part, but they do that when there is something dead below. They circle it before going down to eat it. I have no idea why....but that is what they do before going to eat it.
2006-09-27 17:26:07 · answer #7 · answered by Stacy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
could it have been part of a bird show that was nearby? or were you close to an aviary where they are kept? are you sure they were buzzards?
2006-09-27 17:32:23 · answer #8 · answered by John "Freddie" West 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes but they all came to the scent of something dead so they didn't come together on purpose its just there instinct to go toward a the smell of something rotting
2006-09-27 20:40:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
How do you think they make baby buzzards?
2006-09-27 17:25:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋