Buteo
Encyclopedia
Buteo is a genus
of medium to fairly large, wide-ranging raptors
with a robust body and broad wings. In the Old World, members of this genus are called "buzzard
s", but "hawk
" is used in North America
. As both terms are ambiguous, buteo is sometimes used instead, for example, by the Peregrine Fund.
, which averages 270 grams (9.5 oz) and 35 cm (14 in) long, to the Ferruginous Hawk
and Upland Buzzard
, both at 1,350 grams (3 lbs) and 60 cm (24 in) long. They are noted for their broad wings and sturdy builds. The Buteos frequently soar on thermals at mid-day over openings and are most frequently seen while doing this. They inhabit a wide range of habitats across the world but tend to prefer some access to both clearings and trees.
All Buteos are to some extent opportunistic when it comes to hunting and will predate almost any type of small animal as it becomes available to them. However, most have a strong preference for small mammal
s and among these mostly rodent
s. Rodents of almost every family in the world are somewhere predated by Buteos. Birds are taken occasionally as well, although most small birds can successfully evade Buteos. Mid-sized birds such as waterfowl
, corvids, pigeons and gamebird
s are most often taken, but even these are generally predated when distracted. Other prey may include snake
s, lizard
s, frog
s, salamander
s, fish
, and even various invertebrates, especially beetle
s. Carrion
is eaten occasionally by most Buteos but is almost always secondary to live prey. Prey is often spotted from a great distance while soaring and is set down upon while circling down to the ground. Other Buteos may prefer to ambush prey by pouncing down to the ground directly from a perch.
The Buteo hawks include many of the most widely distributed and best known raptors in the world. Examples include the Red-tailed Hawk
of North America
, the Common Buzzard
of Eurasia
, and the Roadside Hawk
of tropical Central
and South America
. Most Northern Hemisphere
species are at least partially migratory. In North America
, species such as Broad-winged Hawk
s and Swainson's Hawk
s are known for their huge numbers (often called "kettles") while passing over major migratory flyways in the fall.
species have been discovered, mainly in North America. Some are placed here primarily based on considerations of biogeography
, Buteo being somewhat hard to distinguish from Geranoaetus based on osteology
alone:
An unidentifiable accipitrid that occurred on Ibiza
in the Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene
may also have been a Buteo. If this is so, the bird can be expected to aid in untangling the complicated evolution
ary history of the Common Buzzard
group.
The prehistoric species "Aquila" danana, Buteogallus fragilis (Fragile Eagle), and Spizaetus grinnelli were at one time also placed in Buteo.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of medium to fairly large, wide-ranging raptors
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
with a robust body and broad wings. In the Old World, members of this genus are called "buzzard
Buzzard
A buzzard is one of several large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below.-Old World:In the Old World Buzzard can mean:* One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings....
s", but "hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
" is used in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. As both terms are ambiguous, buteo is sometimes used instead, for example, by the Peregrine Fund.
Characteristics
Buteos range in size from the Roadside HawkRoadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is a relatively small bird of prey found in Latin America. This vocal species is often the most common raptor in its range. It has many subspecies and is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Rupornis instead of Buteo.-Description:The Roadside Hawk is long and weighs...
, which averages 270 grams (9.5 oz) and 35 cm (14 in) long, to the Ferruginous Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
The Ferruginous Hawk , Buteo regalis , is a large bird of prey. It is not a true hawk like sparrowhawks or goshawks, but rather belongs to the broad-winged buteo hawks, known as "buzzards" in Europe...
and Upland Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
The Upland Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.-Description:This is the largest buzzard, though it is equaled in size by the North American Ferruginous Hawk. The total length is 57-67 cm and wingspan is 143-161 cm . Weight is about 1350 grams on average. with both...
, both at 1,350 grams (3 lbs) and 60 cm (24 in) long. They are noted for their broad wings and sturdy builds. The Buteos frequently soar on thermals at mid-day over openings and are most frequently seen while doing this. They inhabit a wide range of habitats across the world but tend to prefer some access to both clearings and trees.
All Buteos are to some extent opportunistic when it comes to hunting and will predate almost any type of small animal as it becomes available to them. However, most have a strong preference for small mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s and among these mostly rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s. Rodents of almost every family in the world are somewhere predated by Buteos. Birds are taken occasionally as well, although most small birds can successfully evade Buteos. Mid-sized birds such as waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, corvids, pigeons and gamebird
Galliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
s are most often taken, but even these are generally predated when distracted. Other prey may include snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
s, lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s, frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
s, salamander
Salamander
Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...
s, fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, and even various invertebrates, especially beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
s. Carrion
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
is eaten occasionally by most Buteos but is almost always secondary to live prey. Prey is often spotted from a great distance while soaring and is set down upon while circling down to the ground. Other Buteos may prefer to ambush prey by pouncing down to the ground directly from a perch.
The Buteo hawks include many of the most widely distributed and best known raptors in the world. Examples include the Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West...
of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, the Common Buzzard
Common Buzzard
The Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.-Description:...
of Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
, and the Roadside Hawk
Roadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is a relatively small bird of prey found in Latin America. This vocal species is often the most common raptor in its range. It has many subspecies and is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Rupornis instead of Buteo.-Description:The Roadside Hawk is long and weighs...
of tropical Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Most Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
species are at least partially migratory. In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, species such as Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk is a small hawk of the genus Buteo. During the summer some subspecies are distributed over eastern North America, as far west as British Columbia and Texas; they then migrate south to winter in the neotropics from Mexico down to southern Brazil. Other subspecies are all-year...
s and Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
The Swainson's Hawk , is a large buteo hawk of the Falconiformes, sometimes separated in the Accipitriformes like its relatives. This species was named after William Swainson, a British naturalist...
s are known for their huge numbers (often called "kettles") while passing over major migratory flyways in the fall.
Species in taxonomic order
- Common BuzzardCommon BuzzardThe Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.-Description:...
, Buteo buteo- Eastern Buzzard, Buteo buteo japonicus
- Himalayan Buzzard, Buteo buteo burmanicus
- Madeira Buzzard, Buteo buteo harterti
- Steppe Buzzard, Buteo buteo vulpinus
- Cape Verde BuzzardCape Verde BuzzardThe Cape Verde Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey that is sometimes considered a subspecies of the widespread Common Buzzard . As its name implies, it is native to Cape Verde. Some taxonomists consider it to be a distinct species and is treated as such here.-References:* Clements, J. F.,...
, Buteo bannermani - Socotra BuzzardSocotra BuzzardThe Socotra Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey that is sometimes considered a subspecies of the widespread Common Buzzard . As its name implies, it is native to Socotra. Some taxonomists consider it to be a distinct species and is treated as such here.-References:* Clements, J. F., T. S....
, Buteo socotraensis - Red-tailed HawkRed-tailed HawkThe Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West...
, Buteo jamaicensis - Long-legged BuzzardLong-legged BuzzardThe Long-legged Buzzard is a bird of prey.-Description:It is similar in appearance to the Rough-legged Buzzard , but larger and more robust. There are many different colour forms, but usually Long-leggeds have a clear orange tint to the plumage, red or orange tail, pale head and largely white...
, Buteo rufinus - Rough-legged BuzzardRough-legged BuzzardThe Rough-legged Buzzard , called the Rough-legged Hawk in North America, is a medium-large bird of prey. It is found in Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia during the breeding season and migrates south for the winter.The species exhibits a wide variety of plumage patterns...
, Buteo lagopus - Ferruginous HawkFerruginous HawkThe Ferruginous Hawk , Buteo regalis , is a large bird of prey. It is not a true hawk like sparrowhawks or goshawks, but rather belongs to the broad-winged buteo hawks, known as "buzzards" in Europe...
, Buteo regalis - Red-shouldered HawkRed-shouldered HawkThe Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized hawk. Its breeding range spans eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico.-Description:...
, Buteo lineatus - Broad-winged HawkBroad-winged HawkThe Broad-winged Hawk is a small hawk of the genus Buteo. During the summer some subspecies are distributed over eastern North America, as far west as British Columbia and Texas; they then migrate south to winter in the neotropics from Mexico down to southern Brazil. Other subspecies are all-year...
, Buteo platypterus - Swainson's HawkSwainson's HawkThe Swainson's Hawk , is a large buteo hawk of the Falconiformes, sometimes separated in the Accipitriformes like its relatives. This species was named after William Swainson, a British naturalist...
, Buteo swainsoni - Roadside HawkRoadside HawkThe Roadside Hawk is a relatively small bird of prey found in Latin America. This vocal species is often the most common raptor in its range. It has many subspecies and is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Rupornis instead of Buteo.-Description:The Roadside Hawk is long and weighs...
, Buteo magnirostris - Ridgway's HawkRidgway's HawkRidgway's Hawk is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles, hawks and Old World vultures...
, Buteo ridgwayi - White-rumped HawkWhite-rumped HawkThe White-rumped Hawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela....
, Buteo leucorrhous - Short-tailed HawkShort-tailed HawkThe Short-tailed Hawk is an American bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles and Old World vultures. As a member of the genus Buteo, it is not a true hawk and thus also referred to as a "buteo" or "buzzard". The White-throated Hawk The Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo...
, Buteo brachyurus - White-throated HawkWhite-throated HawkThe White-throated Hawk, Buteo albigula, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which includes the eagles, hawks and Old World vultures. In British usage it would be called a buzzard rather than a true hawk....
, Buteo albigula - White-tailed HawkWhite-tailed HawkThe White-tailed Hawk is a large bird of prey species found in tropical or subtropical environments across the Americas.-Description:...
, Buteo albicaudatus - Galápagos HawkGalápagos HawkThe Galapagos Hawk is a large hawk endemic to the Galapagos Islands.-Physical description:Similar in size to the Red-tailed Hawk and the Swainson's Hawk of North America, the Galapagos Hawk is about 55 cm from beak to tail with a wingspan of 120 cm...
, Buteo galapagoensis - Variable HawkVariable HawkThe Variable Hawk is a polymorphic species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is widespread and often common in open habitats in western and southern South America, including the Falkland Islands. Its taxonomy is disputed, with some splitting it into the widespread Red-backed Hawk The...
, Buteo polyosoma- Red-backed Hawk, Buteo (p.) polyosoma
- Juan Fernández Hawk, Buteo (polyosoma) exsul
- Puna Hawk, Buteo (polyosoma) poecilochrous
- Grey Hawk, Buteo nitidus - formerly in Asturina
- Grey-lined Hawk, Buteo n. nitidus
- Grey Hawk, Buteo nitidus plagiatus
- Zone-tailed HawkZone-tailed HawkThe Zone-tailed Hawk is a medium-sized hawk of warm, dry parts of the Americas. It feeds on small vertebrates of all kinds , including birds up to the size of quail....
, Buteo albonotatus - Hawaiian HawkHawaiian HawkThe Hawaiian Hawk or Io, Buteo solitarius, is a raptor of the Buteo genus endemic to Hawaii. Buteos tend to be easily recognized by their bulky bodies relative to their overall length and wingspan. The Io is the only hawk that is native to Hawaii, and fossil evidence indicates that it inhabited...
, Buteo solitarius - Rufous-tailed HawkRufous-tailed HawkThe Rufous-tailed Hawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.The Rufous-tailed Hawk is found in southern Argentina and Chile, including the entire region of Tierra del Fuego....
, Buteo ventralis - Mountain BuzzardMountain BuzzardThe Mountain Buzzard is a bird of prey that lives in montane forests in East Africa and forests and plantations in South Africa. The latter population is sometimes considered a separate species, the Forest Buzzard The Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus) is a bird of prey that lives in montane...
, Buteo oreophilus- Forest Buzzard, Buteo oreophilus trizonatus
- Madagascar BuzzardMadagascar BuzzardThe Madagascar Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests....
, Buteo brachypterus - Upland BuzzardUpland BuzzardThe Upland Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.-Description:This is the largest buzzard, though it is equaled in size by the North American Ferruginous Hawk. The total length is 57-67 cm and wingspan is 143-161 cm . Weight is about 1350 grams on average. with both...
, Buteo hemilasius - Red-necked BuzzardRed-necked BuzzardThe Red-necked Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
, Buteo auguralis - Jackal BuzzardJackal BuzzardThe Jackal Buzzard is a 45–55 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Archer's Buzzard, and the Augur Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different...
, Buteo rufofuscus - Archer's BuzzardArcher's BuzzardThe Archer's Buzzard is a 50–55 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard, and the Augur Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different...
, Buteo archeri - Augur BuzzardAugur BuzzardThe Augur Buzzard is a 55–60 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard, and the Archer's Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having...
, Buteo augur
Fossil record
A number of fossilFossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
species have been discovered, mainly in North America. Some are placed here primarily based on considerations of biogeography
Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species , organisms, and ecosystems in space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities vary in a highly regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area...
, Buteo being somewhat hard to distinguish from Geranoaetus based on osteology
Osteology
Osteology is the scientific study of bones. A subdiscipline of anatomy, anthropology, and archeology, osteology is a detailed study of the structure of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, morphology, function, disease, pathology, the process of ossification , the resistance and hardness of bones , etc...
alone:
- Buteo fluviaticus (Brule Middle Oligocene of Wealt County, USA) - possibly same as B. grangeri
- Buteo grangeri (Brule Middle Oligocene of Washabaugh County, USA)
- Buteo antecursor (Brule Late Oligocene)
- ?Buteo sp. (Brule Late Oligocene of Washington County, USA)
- Buteo ales (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, USA) - formerly in Geranospiza or Geranoaetus
- Buteo typhoius (Olcott Early ?- Snake Creek Late Miocene of Sioux County, USA)
- Buteo pusillus (Middle Miocene of Grive-Saint-Alban, France)
- Buteo sp. (Middle Miocene of Grive-Saint-Alban, France - Early Pleistocene of Bacton, England)
- Buteo contortus (Snake Creek Late Miocene of Sioux County, USA) - formerly in Geranoaetus
- Buteo spassovi (Late Miocene of Chadžidimovo, Bulgaria)
- Buteo musculosus (Miocene of Argentina) - formerly in Thegornis
- Buteo conterminus (Snake Creek Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Sioux County, USA) - formerly in Geranoaetus
- Buteo sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
- Buteo sanya (Late Pleistocene of Luobidang Cave, China)
An unidentifiable accipitrid that occurred on Ibiza
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
in the Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene
Early Pleistocene
Calabrian is a subdivision of the Pleistocene Epoch of the Geologic time scale. ~1.8 Ma.—781,000 years ago ± 5,000 years, a period of ~.The end of the stage is defined by the last magnetic pole reversal and plunge in to an ice age and global drying possibly colder and drier than the late Miocene ...
may also have been a Buteo. If this is so, the bird can be expected to aid in untangling the complicated evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
ary history of the Common Buzzard
Common Buzzard
The Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.-Description:...
group.
The prehistoric species "Aquila" danana, Buteogallus fragilis (Fragile Eagle), and Spizaetus grinnelli were at one time also placed in Buteo.