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Vultures vs. Buzzards — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Published on November 6, 2024
Vultures are scavenging birds known for their bald heads and are found in both the Old and New Worlds. Buzzards, primarily used in Europe to describe certain hawks, have a varied diet including small mammals and insects, featuring fully feathered heads.
Vultures vs. Buzzards — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Vultures and Buzzards

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Key Differences

Vultures are divided into two groups: Old World vultures, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe, belonging to the family Accipitridae, and New World vultures, found in the Americas, belonging to the family Cathartidae. These birds are specially adapted to a scavenging lifestyle, with strong, hooked beaks for tearing flesh and bald heads to prevent feather fouling while feeding on carrion. Vultures play a crucial role in their ecosystems by efficiently disposing of dead animal bodies, thus preventing the spread of diseases.
Buzzards, in contrast, are birds of prey belonging to the genus Buteo, found mainly in Europe and Asia. In North America, the term "buzzard" is often incorrectly applied to vultures, particularly the turkey vulture. True buzzards have broad wings and robust bodies designed for soaring. They hunt live prey, such as rodents, small mammals, and insects, using their keen vision. Unlike vultures, buzzards have fully feathered heads and rely on their ability to capture and kill their food, although they may occasionally eat carrion.
The confusion between vultures and buzzards largely stems from the difference in vernacular usage across regions. While "buzzard" refers to a variety of medium to large birds of prey outside North America, the misuse of the term in the Americas has led to a misunderstanding of these distinct bird groups.
Vultures are known for their social feeding habits, often seen in large groups at carcasses, while buzzards are more solitary, preferring to hunt alone or in pairs. This social distinction highlights their different ecological roles: vultures as nature's clean-up crew and buzzards as solitary hunters.

Comparison Chart

Family

Accipitridae (Old World) & Cathartidae (New World)
Accipitridae
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Habitat

Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas
Europe, Asia, and North America

Diet

Carrion
Small mammals, insects, occasionally carrion

Head

Bald
Fully feathered

Lifestyle

Scavengers
Predators

Social Behavior

Often seen in groups
Mostly solitary

Beak

Strong, hooked for tearing flesh
Less hooked, adapted for capturing live prey

Compare with Definitions

Vultures

Specialize in scavenging for dead animals.
A group of vultures was seen cleaning up a deer carcass by the roadside.

Buzzards

True buzzards hunt live prey like small mammals.
The Common Buzzard was observed diving for a rabbit.

Vultures

Have bald heads to stay clean while feeding.
The bald head of the vulture is an adaptation to its scavenging lifestyle.

Buzzards

Have fully feathered heads, unlike vultures.
The buzzard's feathered head distinguishes it from New World vultures.

Vultures

Often misunderstood due to their scavenging habits.
Despite their grim reputation, vultures are vital to ecological balance.

Buzzards

Misnamed as "buzzards" in North America refer to vultures.
The term buzzard is often mistakenly used for the Turkey Vulture in the U.S.

Vultures

Play a critical role in preventing disease spread.
Vultures help control disease by consuming carrion.

Buzzards

Prefer solitary hunting over scavenging.
A buzzard was seen hunting alone in the early morning.

Vultures

Found across many continents.
The Griffon Vulture is a common sight in the Old World's skies.

Buzzards

Adapted to a variety of habitats, including forests and open fields.
Buzzards thrive in both dense woodlands and open countryside.

Vultures

Any of various large birds of prey characteristically having dark plumage and a featherless head and neck and generally feeding on carrion. Species found in the Americas are in the family Cathartidae, and those found in Eurasia and Africa are in the family Accipitridae.

Buzzards

Any of various North American vultures, such as the turkey vulture.

Vultures

A person of a rapacious, predatory, or profiteering nature.

Buzzards

Chiefly British A hawk of the genus Buteo, having broad wings and a broad tail.

Vultures

Plural of vulture

Buzzards

An avaricious or otherwise unpleasant person.

Vultures

Infl of vulture

Buzzards

Plural of buzzard

Common Curiosities

Why do vultures have bald heads?

Vultures have bald heads to prevent feathers from getting fouled by blood and other materials while feeding on carrion, aiding in hygiene and temperature regulation.

Can buzzards eat carrion like vultures?

Buzzards may occasionally eat carrion, especially in harsh weather conditions when hunting live prey is more challenging, but they primarily hunt live animals.

Is the term "buzzard" used correctly in North America?

In North America, "buzzard" is commonly but incorrectly used to refer to vultures, particularly the turkey vulture, deviating from the term's original application to certain hawks in Europe and Asia.

How do vultures find their food?

Vultures have an exceptional sense of smell (particularly New World vultures) and keen eyesight, allowing them to detect the gases produced by decaying animals from great distances.

How can I distinguish a vulture from a buzzard?

Vultures have a more robust, bald-headed appearance and are often seen in groups around carrion, whereas buzzards are solitary with fully feathered heads and broader wings for soaring while hunting.

Why are vultures important to the ecosystem?

Vultures play a vital role in ecosystems by quickly consuming dead animals, thus preventing the spread of diseases and maintaining environmental health.

Are vultures endangered?

Many vulture species are at risk due to habitat loss, poisoning, and hunting. Conservation efforts are in place for several endangered species.

What adaptations do buzzards have for hunting?

Buzzards have keen eyesight for spotting prey, strong talons for capturing, and beaks for tearing flesh, along with broad wings for soaring and gliding during hunts.

Are buzzards and vultures related?

While both belong to the Accipitridae family (except New World vultures), they occupy different niches and have distinct behaviors and physical characteristics.

What is the largest species of vulture?

The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), a type of New World vulture, is considered the largest with a wingspan of up to 3.3 meters (10.8 feet).

Do vultures attack live animals?

Vultures are specialized scavengers and rarely attack live animals; they are adapted to feed on carrion.

How long can vultures live?

Vultures can have a long lifespan, with some species living 20 to 30 years in the wild and even longer in captivity.

Can buzzards be seen in urban areas?

While buzzards generally prefer open countryside and woodland edges, they can occasionally be spotted in urban parks and gardens, especially those adjacent to rural areas.

Do buzzards build nests?

Yes, buzzards build nests, often in trees or on cliffs, where they lay eggs and raise their young.

What do buzzards do in winter?

Buzzards in colder regions may migrate to warmer areas or change their hunting habits to adapt to the availability of prey.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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