Distribution of the species
Its range covers Eurasia, Asia Minor and North Africa. It inhabits forests and open spaces on the Balkan Peninsula. In Bulgaria this species is found as permanent, migrating and wintering. It is a widespread nesting species throughout the country.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
In Bulgaria, the Common buzzard reaches a body length of up to 55 cm and a wingspan of 120 cm. Adults are polymorphic in color – rusty brown to dark brown above, and below from whitish with small dark spots to dark brown. This species has 2 subspecies – buteo, which is larger and dark brown, and vulpinus – smaller with rusty red plumage.
Their habitats are in forests and open spaces. It migrates together with other birds of prey and in sparse flocks. Winters in lucerne, rice fields, etc. It feeds on insects, small birds, reptiles and rodents.
Conservation status
Unknown.
Conservation state
The species is included in Annex 3 of the Biodiversity Act (BDA), as well as in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with the category – “Least Concern” (LC).
*Note: For the description of birds is used information from: Golemanski, V. & al. (eds). 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 2. Animals. BAS & MoEW, Sofia [English ed.: ISBN 978-954-9746-22-8 (IBER – BAS), 978-954-8497-18-3 (MoEW)]; Michev T., D. Simeonov, L. Profirov. 2012. Birds of the Balkan Peninsula. Ecotan, Sofia, 300 pp; the website of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).