Close-up comparison of a vulture and a buzzard, highlighting their distinctive facial features and plumage

Vultures vs. Buzzards – Detailed Comparison

Vultures and buzzards are commonly mistaken for each other, but they are distinct species.

This article outlines the key differences between the two, including their physical characteristics, to help you identify them accurately.

Here’s what sets them apart.

Aspect Vultures Buzzards
Taxonomy Old World (Accipitridae), New World (Cathartidae) Accipitridae
Geographic Distribution Africa, Europe, Asia, Americas Europe, Asia, Africa
Head Appearance Bald or sparsely feathered Fully feathered
Beak Large, strong, hooked Smaller, hooked
Wings Very large wingspan for soaring Broad wings for maneuvering
Feet Weaker grip, blunt talons Strong grip, sharp talons
Diet Primarily carrion Live prey
Social Behavior Often social Generally solitary or in pairs
Sense of Smell Highly developed in New World vultures Less developed
Lifespan Up to 30 years 12–20 years

Key Differences Between Vultures and Buzzards

Photo comparing vulture (on the left) and buzzard (on the right)
Vultures are scavengers known for their bald heads, while buzzards are skilled hunters with sharp talons and keen eyesight

The differences between vultures and buzzards extend to their diet, physical traits, and behaviors. Vultures are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion with the help of keen senses and specialized adaptations.

Buzzards, in contrast, are active predators that hunt live prey using strong talons and sharp vision. Vultures thrive in open areas with vast expanses for soaring, while buzzards prefer regions with perches and cover for stalking their prey.

These distinctions make each bird in its ecological role, contributing differently to their respective environments.

Taxonomy and Classification

Buzzard on the branch with green trees in the background
Source: YouTube/Screenshot, While different, Vultures and Buzzards are from the same family

Vultures

Vultures are classified into two main groups based on their geographical distribution:

  • Old World Vultures: Belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, hawks, and kites. They are found in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
  • New World Vultures: Part of the family Cathartidae, native to North and South America.

Buzzards

Buzzards are medium to large birds of prey within the family Accipitridae. In Europe and Asia, the term “buzzard” refers to species in the genus Buteo, known for their broad wings and robust bodies.

Classification Level Vultures Buzzards
Kingdom Animalia Animalia
Phylum Chordata Chordata
Class Aves Aves
Order Accipitriformes Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae (Old World), Cathartidae (New World) Accipitridae
Genus Various Buteo
Common Regions Africa, Europe, Asia, Americas Europe, Asia, Africa

Geographic Distribution

The regions where vultures and buzzards are found help in distinguishing between them.

The habitats of vultures and buzzards highlight their distinct lifestyles and ecological niches. Vultures thrive in open areas such as deserts, high mountains, and lowland forests.

Old World vultures are commonly found across Africa, Europe, and Asia, while New World vultures inhabit the Americas, often seen along rocky coasts and sea cliffs.

Their large wingspans enable them to soar for hours over vast territories, searching for food with minimal energy expenditure.

Buzzards are often associated with woodlands, farmland, and open meadows, where they find ample opportunities to hunt. They are particularly adapted to environments with plenty of perches for spotting prey.

In Europe, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a familiar sight in the countryside, utilizing its agility and keen vision to hunt in areas with diverse vegetation. Buzzards are also present in mountainous regions, where they take advantage of the terrain to ambush prey.

Physical Characteristics

Close up photo of black vulture
Source: YouTube/Screenshot, Black vulture

While both are large birds of prey, vultures and buzzards have distinct physical features, like hawk and falcon.

Vultures and buzzards exhibit distinct physical differences, particularly in their head, beak, wingspan, and feet.

Vultures often have bald or minimally feathered heads, a feature that helps them stay clean while feeding on carrion.

Their beaks are strong, heavy, and hooked, adapted for tearing through flesh. They also possess very large wings designed for soaring on thermal currents, enabling them to cover vast distances with minimal effort.

Their feet, however, have a weaker grip with blunt talons since they primarily feed on dead animals and do not need to capture live prey.

In contrast, buzzards have fully feathered heads, providing insulation and protection.

Their beaks, while still hooked, are smaller and less robust compared to those of vultures. Buzzards have broad wings that are ideal for soaring and maneuvering during hunting.

Unlike vultures, their feet are equipped with strong talons, which are designed for capturing and holding live prey, reflecting their more active predatory lifestyle.

Trait Vultures Buzzards
Head Covering Bald or sparsely feathered Fully feathered
Beak Size Large and heavy Smaller and lighter
Wingspan Very large Broad but smaller than vultures
Talons Blunt and weak Sharp and strong
Primary Diet Carrion (dead animals) Live prey (rodents, birds, reptiles)

Feeding Habits

Vultures and buzzards have fundamentally different dietary preferences that reflect their ecological roles and physical characteristics. Vultures are primarily scavengers, relying on carrion as their main food source.

With their exceptional eyesight and, in some species like the turkey vulture, an acute sense of smell, they can locate decomposing animals from great distances. Their role in ecosystems is critical, as they clean up dead animals and prevent the spread of diseases.

Some vultures, such as the palm nut vulture, have adapted to include items like oil palm fruit in their diets, demonstrating their versatility in specific habitats.

Buzzards, on the other hand, are active predators that focus on hunting live prey, including rodents, small mammals, and birds. Their strong talons and sharp beaks make them highly effective hunters. While they occasionally consume carrion, buzzards typically prefer fresh kills. This opportunistic but predatory approach allows them to adapt to varying prey availability in different environments.

While buzzards may occasionally feed on carrion, they generally prefer live hunting, making them more opportunistic but primarily focused on active predation.

Behavior and Ecology

Vultures

  • Social Behavior: Often seen in large groups, especially when feeding or roosting.
  • Flight Patterns: Soar on thermals with minimal wing flapping, conserving energy over long distances.
  • Nesting Habits: Nest on cliffs, tall trees, or even on the ground depending on the species.

Buzzards

  • Territoriality: Generally solitary or found in pairs, maintaining and defending a specific territory.
  • Flight Patterns: Combine soaring with flapping flight, especially when hunting or displaying.
  • Nesting Habits: Build nests in trees or on cliff ledges, using sticks and foliage.

Sensory Abilities

Buzzard on a tree branch
Source: YouTube/Screenshot, Buzzards are known for impressive vision

An interesting distinction between vultures and buzzards lies in their sensory capabilities.

Vultures possess excellent eyesight, allowing them to spot carrion from high altitudes. In addition to their keen vision, New World ones, such as the turkey vulture, have a highly developed sense of smell, which enables them to detect gases released by decomposing animals.

Buzzards, on the other hand, also have sharp vision, which they use to detect the movement of prey on the ground while in flight.

However, their sense of smell is much less developed, and they rely predominantly on their eyesight for hunting, focusing more on visual cues than olfactory ones.

Reproduction and Lifespan

@sasanamir [BUTEO BUTEO] – Common buzzards facts ⬇️ The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is widely distributed across Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. They typically inhabit woodlands, farmland, and open countryside, favoring areas with plenty of perches. They are medium to large birds of prey, measuring 45 to 55 cm (18 to 22 inches) in length with a wingspan of 110 to 130 cm (43 to 51 inches). Their plumage varies from dark brown to light, often with white and buff markings. Nesting and breeding: They typically breed from late winter to early spring, laying 2 to 4 eggs in large nests built in trees or on cliffs. #buteobuteo #commonbuzzard #mäusebussard #sasanamir ♬ Originalton – Sasan Amir

Vultures

  • Breeding: Often lay one or two eggs per season.
  • Incubation: Both parents typically share incubation duties.
  • Lifespan: Can live up to 30 years in the wild, longer in captivity.

Buzzards

  • Breeding: Lay between two to four eggs.
  • Incubation: The female usually incubates while the male provides food.
  • Lifespan: The average lifespan is around 12 to 20 years in the wild.

Bottom Line

While vultures and buzzards may appear similar at first glance due to their size and soaring flight, they are distinct birds with different roles in the ecosystem.

Vultures are specialized scavengers essential for cleaning up carrion and preventing the spread of diseases.

Buzzards are versatile predators that help control populations of small mammals and other prey. Recognizing these differences enhances our understanding and appreciation of these remarkable birds.