Buzzards and vultures are often confused with one another. This is understandable, as these large birds share some similar characteristics. However, buzzards and vultures are actually different types of birds belonging to separate taxonomic groups.
Quick Answers
- Buzzards and vultures are not the same bird. They belong to different taxonomic families.
- Buzzards are members of the Accipitridae family, which includes hawks and eagles.
- Vultures belong to the Cathartidae family, along with condors from the Americas.
- While buzzards and vultures occupy similar ecological niches, they have distinct features that set them apart.
- Key differences include wing shape, feet, feathering, and behavior when feeding.
Taxonomic Classification
From a taxonomic perspective, buzzards and vultures belong to different families.
Buzzards are members of the Accipitridae family. This family includes many well-known birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, kites, and harriers. There are around 60 species of buzzard worldwide.
In contrast, vultures belong to the Cathartidae family. The Cathartidae consists of 7 species of vulture in the Americas, along with 26 species of Old World vulture. This family is distinct from the Accipitridae.
So while buzzards and vultures occupy a similar ecological niche as scavengers and predators, they are not closely related from an evolutionary standpoint. Their resemblance is an example of convergent evolution – when unrelated species evolve similar traits. But upon closer inspection, several differences become apparent.
Wing Shape
One noticeable difference between buzzards and vultures is wing shape.
Buzzards have broad, rounded wings like other soaring birds of prey such as eagles and hawks. This allows them to ride thermal updrafts and cover large distances while expending minimal energy.
Vultures on the other hand have much longer, narrower wings. These are well-adapted for soaring at higher altitudes over wide spans of open country. Their slender wings allow effortless soaring with little flapping required. Soaring at high elevations allows vultures to spot carrion from great distances.
Feet and Claws
The feet and claws of buzzards and vultures have some noticeable differences as well.
Buzzards have feet with strong talons designed for grasping and carrying prey. Their claws are similar to those of other raptors like hawks and eagles.
Vultures on the other hand have weaker feet and claws. Unlike buzzards, they do not kill prey but rather scavenge for already dead animals. As a result, vultures’ feet are not adapted for hunting or carrying heavy loads.
Vultures’ feet are also not well-suited for perching in trees. Their claws are blunt and designed for walking rather than grasping. This reflects their preference to feed and nest on the ground or on cliffs.
Plumage Differences
Plumage can also help distinguish buzzards from vultures.
Most buzzards have bold, contrasting patterns of browns, whites, and grays in their plumage. This often includes variable streaking and barring on the body and wings.
Vultures tend to have drabber, less distinctly patterned plumage. Their feathers are generally darker in coloration with little to no barring or streaking. The head and neck are often red, orange, or pink and unfeathered in the case of Turkey Vultures and California Condors.
The drab plumage of vultures likely helps them avoid unwanted attention when feeding on carrion. In contrast, the striking patterns of buzzards’ feathers may play a role in communication and territorial displays.
Feeding Behaviors
Perhaps the most telling difference between buzzards and vultures can be observed when they feed.
Buzzards use their sharp talons and hooked beaks to tear flesh from carcasses like other raptors. They also actively hunt and kill live prey including rodents, reptiles, and insects.
Vultures utilize their bare heads and long necks to reach deep inside carcasses. Their beaks are not suited for tearing, so they rip meat with their feet or tip the carcass over. By feeding communally, vultures are able to tear open tough hides. They do not typically hunt or kill live animals.
These different feeding strategies reflect key adaptations that allow buzzards and vultures to thrive as scavengers in the same environment without directly competing.
Examples of Buzzards
To further illustrate the distinction, let’s take a look at some classic examples of buzzards.
Red-Tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a common North American buzzard. True to its name, adults sport characteristic reddish tail feathers. They use their sharp talons to catch and carry small mammals, snakes, and other prey. Red-tailed Hawks soar on broad wings and are often seen perched on poles or trees.
Rough-Legged Buzzard
As another buzzard example, the Rough-legged Buzzard breeds in Arctic regions around the globe. It can be identified by its feathered legs and dark belly band. Rough-legged Buzzards feed mainly on small rodents and frequently hover while hunting.
European Honey Buzzard
This Eurasian species gets its name from its habit of raiding beehives. The European Honey Buzzard uses its claws to break into hives and feed on bee larvae. It also eats other insects, small reptiles, and amphibians. Honey Buzzards have gray-brown plumage with subtle streaking.
Long-Tailed Buzzard
Found in Africa, the Long-Tailed Buzzard has a distinctive fan-shaped tail that exceeds the length of its body and wings. It uses its long claws to catch rodents and also feeds on carrion. In flight, its broad wings and banded tail are unmistakable.
Examples of Vultures
Now let’s look at some classic vulture species to highlight how they differ from buzzards.
Turkey Vulture
Probably the most familiar North American vulture, Turkey Vultures are identifiable by their red heads and dark plumage. They soar on slender, crescent-shaped wings and use their keen sense of smell to locate carrion. Turkey Vultures have weak feet and beaks, relying on group feeding to open tough hides.
King Vulture
This Neotropical species sports a colorful orange, red, and purple head and neck. King Vultures have strong, hooked beaks well-suited for shredding meat from carcasses. Their bald heads allow them to feed messily inside carcasses while avoiding fouling their plumage.
Bearded Vulture
Also known as the Lammergeier, this unusual vulture inhabits mountainous regions from Europe to Asia. Bearded Vultures have feathered heads and specialized digestive systems that allow them to consume bones. Their narrow wings and tails are adaptations for high altitude soaring.
Cape Vulture
The Cape Vulture of southern Africa is one of the largest vulture species, with a wingspan approaching 9 feet. They are colonial cliff nesters and employ cooperative group feeding behaviors. Their wings allow effortless soaring over expansive grasslands in search of animal carcasses.
Shared Traits and Behaviors
Despite their differences, buzzards and vultures do share some similar traits and lifestyle adaptations.
Both are large, predatory scavenger birds with mainly bald or feathered heads and hooked upper beaks. These adaptations aid feeding on carrion.
Buzzards and vultures are also social, generally feeding and nesting in groups. This allows them to share information about food sources and cooperate to open tough hides and bones.
Their preference for scavenging over hunting helps limit the spread of disease by quickly removing carrion from the environment that could otherwise rot and become infested.
Finally, buzzards and vultures soar on broad wings designed to help them efficiently scan large areas in search of animal remains on which to feed.
Summary of Differences
To summarize the key differences:
- Buzzards belong to the Accipitridae family along with hawks and eagles, while vultures belong to the Cathartidae family.
- Buzzards have shorter, broader wings compared to the long, narrow wings of vultures.
- Buzzards have strong feet and talons adapted for hunting and carrying prey, unlike vultures’ weaker feet.
- Plumage of buzzards is generally more colorful and patterned compared to the drab feathers of most vultures.
- When feeding, buzzards use beaks and talons to tear flesh while vultures rely more on their beaks and feet.
Conclusion
So in summary, while buzzards and vultures occupy a similar ecological niche, they belong to separate taxonomic families and have distinct adaptations that set them apart. Vultures are specialized scavengers, while buzzards retain more characteristics of active predators. So the next time you see a large, soaring bird, look closely at key features like wing shape, feet, and feeding behaviors to determine if it is a buzzard or a vulture!
