Buzzard vs. Hawk — What's the Difference?

A bird of prey with broad, rounded wings and a robust body, typically seen soaring in the sky.

A diverse group of birds of prey known for their agility and keen hunting skills.

Found mainly in Europe and Asia, buzzards prefer open landscapes for hunting.

Hawks utilize surprise attacks and rapid pursuits to catch their prey.

In North America, "buzzard" often refers to vultures, not true buzzards.

Found in a wide range of habitats, from dense forests to open countryside.

Primarily feeds on small mammals, insects, and carrion, depending on availability.

Hawks are revered in many cultures for their keen vision and hunting prowess.

Often mistaken for eagles due to their size and flight style, but generally smaller.

Diet consists of small mammals, birds, and insects, varying by species and habitat.

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

Hawks are a group of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Hawks are widely distributed and vary greatly in size.

Buzzard is the common name of several species of bird.

Any of various birds of prey, especially of the genera Accipiter and Buteo in the family Accipitridae, characteristically having a short hooked bill and strong claws used for seizing.

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

Any of various similar birds of prey.

An avaricious or otherwise unpleasant person.

A person who preys on others; a shark.

Any of several Old World birds of prey of the genus Buteo with broad wings and a broad tail.

One who demonstrates an actively aggressive or combative attitude, as in an argument.

(North America) Any scavenging bird, such as the American black vulture (Coragyps atratus) or the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).

A person who favors military force or action in order to carry out foreign policy.

In North America, a curmudgeonly or cantankerous man; an old person; a mean, greedy person.

An audible effort to clear the throat by expelling phlegm.

(archaic) A blockhead; a dunce.

To hunt with trained hawks.

(golf) double bogey

To swoop and strike in the manner of a hawk

A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to the genus Buteo and related genera.

To peddle goods aggressively, especially by calling out.

In the United States, a term used for the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), and sometimes indiscriminately to any vulture.

To peddle (goods) aggressively, especially by calling out.

A blockhead; a dunce.

To clear or attempt to clear the throat by or as if by coughing up phlegm.

Senseless; stupid.

To clear the throat of (phlegm).

Common in South America and Central America and southern United States

A diurnal predatory bird of the family Accipitridae, smaller than an eagle.

The common European short-winged hawk

Any diurnal predatory terrestrial bird of similar size and appearance to the accipitrid hawks, such as a falcon.

(entomology) Any of various species of dragonfly of the genera Apocordulia and Austrocordulia, endemic to Australia.

(politics) An advocate of aggressive political positions and actions.

(game theory) An uncooperative or purely-selfish participant in an exchange or game, especially when untrusting, acquisitive or treacherous. Refers specifically to the Prisoner's Dilemma, alias the Hawk-Dove game.

A plasterer's tool, made of a flat surface with a handle below, used to hold an amount of plaster prior to application to the wall or ceiling being worked on: a mortarboard.

A noisy effort to force up phlegm from the throat.

(transitive) To hunt with a hawk.

(intransitive) To make an attack while on the wing; to soar and strike like a hawk.

(transitive) To sell; to offer for sale by outcry in the street; to carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale; to peddle.

To expectorate, to cough up something from one's throat.

To try to cough up something from one's throat; to clear the throat loudly.

One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconidæ. They differ from the true falcons in lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in having shorter and less pointed wings. Many are of large size and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were formerly trained like falcons. In a more general sense the word is not infrequently applied, also, to true falcons, as the sparrow hawk, pigeon hawk, duck hawk, and prairie hawk.

An effort to force up phlegm from the throat, accompanied with noise.

A small board, with a handle on the under side, to hold mortar.

To catch, or attempt to catch, birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose, and let loose on the prey; to practice falconry.

To make an attack while on the wing; to soar and strike like a hawk; - generally with at; as, to hawk at flies.

To clear the throat with an audible sound by forcing an expiratory current of air through the narrow passage between the depressed soft palate and the root of the tongue, thus aiding in the removal of foreign substances.

To raise by hawking, as phlegm.

To offer for sale by outcry in the street; to carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale; to peddle; as, to hawk goods or pamphlets.

Diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

An advocate of an aggressive policy on foreign relations

A square board with a handle underneath; used by masons to hold or carry mortar

Sell or offer for sale from place to place

Hunt with hawks;

Clear mucus or food from one's throat;

Yes, their habitats can overlap, especially in regions where open countryside meets wooded areas.

Generally, buzzards are larger, but there is size overlap between smaller buzzards and larger hawks.

True buzzards primarily hunt live prey, though they may scavenge occasionally.

In North America, "buzzard" commonly refers to vultures, which is a misnomer when compared to the true buzzards of Europe and Asia.

Hawks, like the peregrine falcon, adapt by nesting on tall buildings and hunting abundant city birds and rodents.

Many species of buzzards and hawks are protected under various wildlife conservation laws.

Hawks are more often solitary, while buzzards might be seen in groups, especially during migration.

Both primarily eat small animals, but specific preferences can vary by species and available prey.

They control populations of rodents and other small animals, helping to maintain ecological balance.

Hawks are more agile with quicker, more varied maneuvers, while buzzards prefer soaring and gliding.

Adverse weather can limit flight and hunting efficiency, with both species potentially becoming more reliant on scavenged food.

Habitat destruction, pollution, and persecution can threaten their populations, though many species have adapted to urban environments.

While some hawks are used in falconry, both buzzards and hawks generally require special licenses to be kept legally.

As apex predators, adult buzzards and hawks have few natural predators, though eggs and young can be vulnerable.

Look for differences in wing shape, flight style, and soaring patterns, with buzzards showing broader wings and more circling.