Difference Between Buzzard and Vulture

The main difference between buzzard and vulture is that the buzzard has strong feet, which help them to grasp the prey whereas vulture the has very weak feet. Furthermore, the head and the neck of the buzzard is covered with feathers while vultures have a prominent bald head.

Buzzard and vulture are two names referring to birds of prey that tend to confuse many people in different parts of the world.

Key Areas Covered

1. Buzzard
     – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior
2. Vulture
     – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior
3. What are the Similarities Between Buzzard and Vulture
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Buzzard and Vulture
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Birds of Prey, Bald Head, Buzzard, Buteos, Falconiformes, New World Vulture, New World Vulture, Turkey Vulture

Buzzard – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior

‘Buzzard’ is an Old European term used to describe many species of hawks. Generally, in the US, buzzard refers to the turkey vulture and in the elsewhere of the world, buzzard is the Old world vulture that belongs to the family Accipitridae and the Buteo genus. The buteos in North and South America are called hawks. As an example, the red-tailed hawk and rough-legged hawk in America are buzzards in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Some types of buzzards include common buzzard, European honey-buzzard, lizard buzzard, forest buzzard, and long-legged buzzard.

Figure 1: Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Generally, buzzard can live in forests, grasslands, deserts, and sea coats. They have medium-sized bodies with long, broad wings and tails ideal for soaring on thermal currents. Generally, they hide in trees and rapidly attack living prey.

Vulture – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior

Vulture is a bald-headed, long-necked scavenging bird. In the US, vulture refers to the turkey vulture and the black vulture. Vultures belong to the order Falconiformes. They can be divided into two groups as Old World vultures and New World vultures. Old World vultures live in Europe, Africa, and Asia while New World vultures, which belong to the family Cathartidae, live in the warm and temperate areas of America.

Figure 2: Vulture

The most characteristic feature of vultures is their bald head. They have long, and broad wings, which help them in gliding. Vultures have a bad reputation since they feed on carrion. But, they are ecologically very important since they clear the carcasses, which in turn, prevent the spread of diseases.

Similarities Between Buzzard and Vulture

• Buzzard and vulture are two types of birds of prey.
• Their names are confusing as there are two types as New and Old World countries.
• Both have long and broad wings.
• They have curved beaks and sharp claws.

Difference Between Buzzard and Vulture

Definition

Buzzard refers to a large hawk-like bird of prey with broad wings and a rounded tail, often seen soaring in wide circles while vulture refers to a large bird of prey with the head and neck more or less bare of feathers, feeding chiefly on carrion and reputed to gather with others in anticipation of the death of a sick or injured animal or person.

Classification

Buzzard belongs to the family Accipitridae and the Buteo genus while vultures belong to the order Falconiformes.

Number of Species

There are 26 buzzard species on earth while 23 species of vultures live on earth.

In the US

In the US, buzzards refer to hawk while vultures refer to turkey vulture and the black vulture.

In Europe, Africa, and Asia

In Europe, Africa, and Asia, buteos refer to buzzards while the order Falconiformes refers to the vultures.

Feet

While buzzard has strong feet, which help to capture prey, vulture has very weak feet.

Head and Neck

Buzzard has a head and neck covered with feathers while vulture has bald head and neck.

Senses

Whereas buzzard has a strong eyesight, vulture has a strong sense of smell.

Diet

Feeding habits of these two birds are also different. Buzzards actively capture their prey while vultures feed on carrion.

Conclusion

Buzzard is a hawk-like animal with strong feet and wings. The main characteristic features of vulture are the bald head and very weak feet. Buzzards actively capture their prey while vulture feed on the carrion. Buzzard and vulture are two confusingly used terms in New and the Old World countries. The main difference between buzzard and vulture is their anatomical features and behavior.

Reference:

1. “Buzzard Bird Facts | Buteo Buteo.” The RSPB, Available Here
2. “Black Vulture Identification.” All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Buteo buteo -Netherlands-8” By Arend from Oosterhout, Netherlands – BuizerdUploaded by snowmanradio (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia 
2. “vulture-landing-raptor-2928216” (CC0) via Pixabay