The most common bird of prey in the UK is the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). It has a wide range and can be found across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The buzzard is easily identified by its large size, broad wingspan and distinctive mewing call. Its diet consists mainly of small mammals such as voles, mice and rabbits. It also feeds on insects, reptiles and carrion when available. The buzzard’s population numbers have been increasing steadily since the 1970s due to conservation efforts. They are now one of the most widespread birds of prey in Britain, with an estimated population of over 500,000. How do I identify birds of prey in flight? Finally, some owls have adapted well enough to urban environments that they have become quite adept at scavenging around human dwellings for scraps left behind by people or pets, making these nocturnal hunters much more successful than those living solely in wilder habitats. Britain’s commonest bird of prey, the buzzard is the species most often seen soaring. It wheels about in the air on broad wings, with its tail fanned out and wingtip feathers widely splayed. Eats birds, mammals and carrion. Buzzards are the commonest and most widespread birds of prey in the UK/Credit: Mike Lane, Getty Honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus Most readily identified by their characteristic hovering flight while hunting. They are able to hold their head immobile while adjusting their wings and tail to air currents, sometimes beating their wings rapidly to remain in place. This special skill earned them the colloquial name 'windhover'. Size The UK is home to a variety of birds of prey, including some majestic species like the Red Kite and Golden Eagle. Whether you’re an amateur birder or have been studying British birds of prey for years, there’s always something new to learn about these incredible creatures. This blog post will explore the different types of British birds of prey, their habitats and distribution across the country, diet and hunting techniques as well as breeding habits and conservation status – so grab your binoculars! Let’s take a closer look at Britain’s birds of prey; from owls to kites, let us discover all that we can about our local raptors here in the UK. Types Of British Birds Of Prey

Birds of prey are birds that feed on animal flesh. They belong to the raptor family, defined by their talons and a hooked bill, and reside in almost every part of the UK, from the lowlands of Southern England and the coasts of Wales, to the great ridges, mountains and islands of the Scottish Highlands. Why do birds of prey hover? Incubation periods also differ among bird species but typically last 28-35 days, with both parents taking turns sitting on the eggs until they hatch. During this time, adults must be vigilant in protecting their young from predators, including other birds of prey that may try to steal eggs from nests if given the opportunity. Widely regarded as the fastest animal on the planet, the Peregrine falcon can dive at an incredible speed of 200mph. Its compact, slim and aerodynamic body has inspired aircraft design, and is especially impressive for allowing the bird to control flight in high winds and turbulent conditions. Wetlands provide an important source of food supply all year round, so it is not surprising that marsh harriers have made this type of environment their home. Here they feed off frogs, fish and other aquatic creatures living within it, making wetland habitats essential for these raptors and other wildlife species. Coastal Cliffs After wintering on coasts and marshlands, the hen harrier breeds on uplands often on driven grouse moorlands that are managed for shooting. It is Britain's most highly persecuted bird of prey for its perceived role in hunting grouse though it will take mammals or small birds as it hovers and quarters for prey low to the ground. The courtship display – known as a sky-dance – is a rare but magical spectacle of early spring. The female – known as a ring tale for the markings on her upper tail – is brown, the male a ghostly bluish grey. Buzzard-sized. A female hen harrier has broad wings to fly at low speeds as she scans the moor below for food./Credit: Getty Buzzard, Buteo buteoThe Golden Eagle. There's no mistaking this bird, down to its sheer size. As a naturalist once said; 'if you're in two minds as to whether it's a buzzard or an eagle, then it's a buzzard.' You just know when you've seen an eagle. Peregrine falcons are found primarily in Wales, southern Scotland and northwest England, but their numbers are slowly climbing throughout much of the UK. Feeding primarily on airborne birds such as pigeons and doves, songbirds, waterfowl and even corvids, the Peregrine falcon is one of the world's most spectacular and efficient aerial hunters. Appearance Most raptors rely on a combination of soaring flight patterns to spot potential meals below them, followed by a rapid dive or stoop towards the ground to catch it with their talons before flying away again with its meal firmly grasped in its claws. This type of hunting technique is called ‘hawking’ and can be seen in many different bird species, including kestrels, harriers and buzzards. By understanding the diet and hunting techniques of British birds of prey, we can gain a greater appreciation for their unique behaviours and adaptations in the wild. Breeding Habits A buzzard-sized bird of prey with a long tail. The marsh harrier flies with its wings lifted up in an obvious ‘V’ shape, though this can be hard to see from below. Patrolling low over reedbeds, it keeps its head down to scan for prey. Eats small mammals and birds. Marsh harriers drift slowly and buoyantly over reedbeds and marshes before dropping suddenly onto small mammals, frogs and birds./Credit: Getty Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus

In the UK, there are over 40 species of birds of prey which vary in size from small falcons to large eagles. Closer up, you can see their massive, broad wings have long fingers to them. Their feathers are generally a dark brown, gradually building to a golden brown colour on their heads; from which they get their name. The rarest UK bird of prey is the Red Kite (Milvus milvus). It was once widespread throughout Britain, but by the early 20th century, it had become extinct in England and Wales. In 1989, a reintroduction program began in England and Wales with birds from Spain and Sweden. The population has since grown to over 1,000 pairs across both countries. Red Kites are now a common sight in many parts of the UK, although they remain scarce compared to other species of raptors. They have distinctive forked tails and red-brown plumage, which makes them easy to identify when soaring above woodlands or open fields. Conclusion Golden eagles mate for life and often hunt cooperatively in pairs. Though they can swoop from great heights at speeds exceeding 150mph, they prefer to hunt from fairly close to the ground, or even from a treetop perch. Some studies suggest that Golden eagles are faster than the Peregrine falcon, which is widely touted to be the world’s fastest bird and animal. Appearance

Discover more about the UK's birds

Red kites are the UK’s largest common birds of prey, with an impressive wingspan of 175 to 185cm. Famed for their graceful hovering flight and playful and gregarious nature, Red kites are a conservation success story.

In our ID guide, we take a closer look at some of Britain's most iconic birds of prey, offering information on how to identify them, what they eat, when they are most active and and best places to spot them. Sparrowhawk numbers crashed during the late 20th century, mainly due to poisoning from organochlorine pesticides. Their numbers have increased dramatically, and they’re found all throughout the UK except the Scottish Highlands, but recent surveys have shown that Sparrowhawk populations are starting to fall again. For conservationists, boosting the Sparrowhawk population is a risky endeavour as they’re very efficient at hunting and killing small birds and negatively impact songbird populations. Appearance If you go for a walk in the countryside, the chances are you'll see a bird of prey either hovering up in the sky or perched within a tree canopy, but it can often be difficult to determine which species you're looking at. With the classic falcon silhouette, the kestrel has very long pointed wings and a long tail. It adopts a variety of flight styles, including fast pursuit, soaring in circles and hovering. Has a diets of voles and mice. Female kestrels are larger than males/Credit: MyLoupe/UIG, Getty Merlin, Falco columbarius From the iconic golden eagle to the tiny merlin, these birds have been a part of our landscape for centuries and continue to be an important part of our natural heritage. With their impressive hunting techniques, varied diet and diverse habitats, British birds of prey provide us with a fascinating insight into wildlife conservation. Although many species face threats from human activities such as habitat destruction and illegal hunting, there is still much that can be done to protect them. By understanding more about these amazing animals and taking steps to conserve their populations, we can ensure that future generations will also get to enjoy watching these birds soaring through our skies. Additional Resources

The causes of change for this species are unclear and hence further research is needed before evidence-based conservation solutions can be proposed. Some birds of prey hover in the air above their hunting grounds to spot prey. Kestrels are perhaps the best-known for hovering and can remain almost motionless in the air, with the slight tweak of a wing or tail to maintain their position. They use oncoming wind to provide them with uplift, meaning they don't have to beat their wings. Kestrels hover above fields and scrub to spot their prey/Credit: Lakes4life, Getty How to identify birds of prey Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

The Golden eagle eclipses most raptors in terms of sheer size and weight. Golden eagles live in Scotland, primarily in the Highlands and on the Scottish islands, but there are plans to reintroduce them in Wales and Northern Ireland. In 2016, there were an estimated 500 breeding pairs of Golden eagles in Scotland, and their populations are gradually climbing. The UK is home to over 60 species of birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons and owls. These birds are a vital part of the UK’s natural heritage and play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The RSPB estimates that there are around 1 million individual breeding pairs across Britain. This includes rarer species, such as the red kite and osprey, which have been reintroduced into some areas after becoming extinct in the wild. With careful conservation efforts, these numbers can continue to grow in future years. What is the rarest UK bird of prey? Courtship rituals vary between species but usually involve aerial displays by both male and female birds. The male may perform dives or circles around the female before landing close to her while calling out loudly. Once bonded, pairs will stay together for life unless one dies or is unable to breed due to injury or illness. Understanding the habitats and distributions of birds of prey in the UK is key to successful research and observation, so it’s important to know where they can be found. Next, we’ll explore what makes these birds unique and their behaviours. Diet and Hunting Techniques Red kite flying over farmland fields in summer, Oxfordshire, UK.

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Whilst mainly brown, they have light patches on the underside of their wings, which can help to distinguish them from ravens or large crows at a glance. Their primary wing feathers also give the appearance of long fingers. A good way to spot buzzards is to listen for their distinctive and iconic 'mew' call. Other than size, they differ in the buzard by having a longer tail. They'll fly with their wings in a 'V-shape' and flight from perching, or at low altitudes can seem laboured, with long, slow wing beats until they gather momentum or hit the hot air column. Birds of prey, also known as raptors, are a group of predatory birds that have keen eyesight and sharp talons for hunting. In the UK, there are five main types of birds of prey: hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and harriers. Hawks In much of the 20th century, Red kites were heavily persecuted for their eggs and became confined to small parts of Wales. They were reintroduced to the Chilterns, East Midlands, Yorkshire and other parts of northern England throughout the 1990s and are now thriving across virtually all of the UK. For example, in 1990, 13 Red kites were released in the Chilterns, and as of 2020, there are probably some 4,000 breeding pairs. These graceful, imposing raptors are now a common sight over both urban and rural areas. Appearance