Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). The buzzard is the most common bird of prey in Switzerland. There is a population (about 20’000) staying here all year round. In winter, there is an influx of visitors from north-east Europe that joins our breeding population. But in harsh winters, the residents join the short-distance migrants in a spectacular exodus towards the south-west.
I would have called it a hawk or an eagle. Our buzzards here are called vultures. Not a very pretty bird. This is a great shot. Like your focusing on this guy.
@pej Hi Paul, thanks for your comment. This buzzard belongs to the same family (Accipitridae) as hawks or for example the red kite. Interestingly, even the vultures. Even if you could not think, because these birds are so different. Here we haveonly one vulture, the bearded vulture. (Kind of cute one) But this species is extremely rare and threatened. Last summer I saw some specimens in the mountains. Far away.
Buzzards are very common in England too but increasingly they are sharing airspace with the red kite whose numbers are increasing since being re-introduced into the wild.
Great capture, Mona, wonderful details and clarity.
June 8th, 2015
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Great capture, Mona, wonderful details and clarity.