The term “buzzard” refers to two distinct types of birds depending on location. In North America, “buzzard” is a common, though technically incorrect, name for the scavengers known as New World Vultures, such as the Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture. Conversely, in Europe and parts of Asia, a buzzard is a type of raptor belonging to the genus Buteo, which are soaring hawks that primarily hunt live prey. The answer to whether buzzards mate for life depends entirely on which group is discussed, though New World Vultures are the species most strongly associated with this behavior.
Which Buzzards Form Lifelong Pairs?
The species most consistently described as mating for life are the New World Vultures, the birds commonly called “buzzards” in the Americas. Social monogamy means a pair remains together, often returning to the same territory and partner year after year, a pattern seen in species like the Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture. Once established, the pair bond can last for the duration of the birds’ long lifespans, which can extend over 20 years in the wild for some species.
New World Vultures, which include the California and Andean Condors, exhibit high levels of pair fidelity. The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), the true buzzard of the Old World, also typically forms monogamous pairs that last for life. While Buteo buzzards are generally socially monogamous, some raptor species may change partners if breeding attempts fail, whereas New World Vultures show a remarkably strong, enduring bond.
Maintaining the Monogamous Bond
The enduring pair bond is maintained through specific social behaviors that reinforce cohesion, especially outside of the breeding season. Turkey and Black Vultures, for instance, often roost together in large communal groups but maintain close proximity to their mate year-round. These pairs may be seen perching close together or flying in synchronized patterns that help confirm their bond and status.
Aerial displays are a significant part of the pair’s ritual, involving synchronized soaring and following one another closely in the air. For New World Vultures, courtship may also include ground displays, such as a circular hopping dance with partially spread wings. These rituals are essential for pair recognition after separation and serve as a mutual reaffirmation of their partnership before nesting begins.
Cooperative Parenting and Nesting
The primary advantage of the lifelong pair bond is the shared, intensive effort required for successful reproduction. In New World Vultures, neither parent builds an elaborate nest, instead choosing sheltered sites like hollow logs, caves, or dense thickets to lay their one to three eggs. Both the male and female share incubation duties, taking turns to sit on the eggs for approximately 30 to 41 days.
Once the young hatch, both parents participate equally in feeding and defending the nest site. They feed their altricial young by regurgitating food, initially a liquid or semi-solid substance, directly into the chick’s bill. The young vultures require extensive parental care, sometimes remaining dependent for several months until they are fully independent. This long reproductive cycle necessitates two committed parents.