Britain has many different species of wild bird. Some rarer than others, and some that may of not even known live and breed in the United Kingdom. Below I will list 3 of the Rarest British Birds of Prey you could possibly see in your back garden… one of them even makes a noise just like a cat! Want to know more? Read on Below.
Buzzard is the most common and largely spread bird among all the British birds of prey. Its Latin Name is ‘Buteo Buteo’ and it belongs to the Hawks and Eagles Family, also known ‘Accipitridae’. The Buzzard is a fairly large bird which has broad and rounded wings. It has a short neck and a tail. It usually holds the wings almost in a ‘V’ shape when gliding and soaring. Their colours may vary from dark brown to light brown. However, all the Buzzards have unique dark wingtips and a finely barred tail feather. Interestingly, they make a mournful mewing sound identical for a cat’s meow.
Scotland, Wales, the Lake District and SW England are the places where you cans see these birds of prey in large numbers. But now they have likely spread all over the UK. Specifically they are found in all the moorland, woodland, pasture, shrub, marsh bog, arable and small villages. Sometimes they even appear in towns and cities like Glasgow. In some areas Buzzard is mistakenly called as the tourists’ eagle which is a larger bird of prey. You can see them throughout the year despite the seasons.
For their diet they prefer mammals (smaller ones of course), other birds and carrion. Sometimes they go for smaller species like earthworms and insects when they lack of food.
I know what you’re thinking… Really?! Well yes, you actually can 🙂 They usually live in the wild with open moorlands and mountainous areas being their preferred homes. It is an eye catching experience to watch when they soar over hillsides in the Scottish Highlands.
The Latin Name for the Golden Eagle is Aquila Chrysaetos and they are also part of the Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae) Family.
This is a large bird in comparison to other birds of prey with up to a 2.84 meter wing span! Only the white-tailed eagle is larger than the golden eagle in the UK. Its wings are broad and the tail is long. It utilizes air currents to soar and glide, which is a smart technique in saving energy. This bird also holds it wings in a ‘V’ shape while soaring and gliding. They have their own territories and domains which they use for generations. Unfortunately nowadays these birds face the threat of being illegally killed or being poisoned.
Just like the Buzzard we mentioned earlier, these golden eagles also can be seen throughout the year. It is exciting to watch them looping and plunging flights, on fine days in winter and early spring.
Their main prey is other birds and some mammals. Carrions are also on their preference list.
Last but not least on our British birds of prey list, is a large hawk called Goshawk. The Latin Name for the Goshawk is Accipiter Gentilis and are too also part of the Eagles and Hawks (Accipitridae) Family.
The size is almost similar to the size of a buzzard. When you observe it at a closer distance, you can see the fierce expression with bright red eyes and unique eyebrows. Its rapid speed is powered with broad wings. It can even catch its prey in flight because of the long legs and talons (this is a very smart bird!) Females are larger in size.
It can be seen near large areas of woodland and forests with glades. Goshawks love open countryside and can mainly be seen hunting over this type of open space. Goshawks mainly feed on Mammals and Birds.
Although they can be seen throughout the year, they are best looked for on late winter and spring as they perform display flights high over the trees.
Have you Seen any of these Birds in the wild before, have any stories or photos? Then let us know! Share any stories or photos below 🙂