Vultures vs. Buzzards — What's the Difference?

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.