The terms “buzzard” and “vulture” are often used interchangeably, leading to widespread confusion. However, these words refer to different types of birds depending on geographical location. While both are large, soaring raptors, their classification and characteristics vary significantly across continents.
Understanding Buzzard
In Europe, Africa, and Asia, the term “buzzard” specifically refers to birds of prey belonging to the genus Buteo. These are medium-to-large hawks known for their robust bodies, broad wings, and soaring flight. The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a widespread raptor across Europe and parts of Asia. These birds are primarily predators, hunting small mammals like voles, as well as insects and earthworms.
In North America, the word “buzzard” is commonly, though incorrectly, used to describe vultures, particularly the Turkey Vulture. This linguistic difference originated with early European settlers who mistakenly applied the familiar term “buzzard” due to their similar appearance and soaring flight patterns. What an American might call a “buzzard,” a European would recognize as a hawk. North American birds in the Buteo genus are consistently referred to as “hawks,” such as the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), which shares a similar ecological role to the common buzzard in Europe.
Understanding Vulture
Vultures constitute a distinct group of scavenging birds that primarily feed on carrion, or dead animals. These birds play a role in ecosystems by consuming decaying carcasses, which helps control disease spread and maintain environmental cleanliness. Vultures are obligate scavengers, and they are unique among vertebrates in relying solely on dead animals for sustenance.
There are two main evolutionary lineages of vultures: Old World Vultures and New World Vultures. Old World Vultures are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, belonging to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles and hawks. New World Vultures inhabit the Americas and belong to a separate family, Cathartidae. Despite their similar appearance and ecological roles, these two groups are not closely related genetically. Their resemblances are a result of convergent evolution, where different species independently develop similar traits to adapt to similar environmental pressures and niches. New World vultures, for instance, are thought to share a distant ancestry with storks.
Key Distinctions
The differences between birds called “buzzards” (hawks in Europe) and true vultures extend across several characteristics, including their evolutionary history, physical attributes, flight patterns, diet, and sensory adaptations. European buzzards, classified under the genus Buteo, are members of the Accipitridae family, a group that also includes eagles and kites. Old World vultures are also part of this family, while New World vultures belong to the distinct Cathartidae family, indicating separate evolutionary paths.
Physical Characteristics
Hawks, or European buzzards, have fully feathered heads and strong, sharp talons used for grasping live prey. Their beaks are short and curved, suitable for tearing flesh from animals they hunt. Vultures typically have bald or sparsely feathered heads, an adaptation that helps keep them clean while feeding on carcasses. Their feet are weaker with blunt talons, less suited for carrying prey, and their beaks are long and hooked for tearing carrion.
Flight Patterns
Hawks often exhibit powerful, direct flight, interspersing flapping with gliding and soaring. While they can use thermals, they may flap more frequently. Vultures are masters of energy-efficient soaring, utilizing thermals—columns of rising warm air—to stay aloft with minimal wing flapping. They often hold their broad wings in a shallow “V” shape, known as a dihedral, as they circle. This enables them to cover vast distances without expending much energy, crucial for locating dispersed food sources.
Diet and Sensory Adaptations
European buzzards are primarily predators, actively hunting small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They may occasionally scavenge but rely on capturing live prey. Vultures are almost exclusively scavengers, feeding on dead animals. Their sensory abilities align with their diets; New World vultures possess a keen sense of smell to detect decaying flesh, while hawks rely on their exceptionally sharp eyesight for hunting. Old World vultures primarily use their vision to locate carcasses.