Common buzzards continue to care for their chicks for weeks after the youngsters have learned to fly. But when it's time for the juveniles to leave home these ferocious parents let them know!
Dates filmed: June 2021 - January 2022
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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Secret lives of a common buzzard family
I’ve been following these common buzzard chicks since they were about two weeks old, watching them grow from scrawny chick to quarrelsome birds
Common Buzzard v Turkey Vulture
The word "buzzard" describes different species in different parts of the world. In North America it’s used colloquially to mean turkey vulture, but in Europe it refers to the genus Buteo, closely related to the red-tailed hawk.
First fledge
In mid-June the chicks are 50 days old, and one has fledged the nest. I have a feeding station about 50 meters away where I leave carrion for them. Once they learn to hunt these young common buzzards will consume a varied diet, from worms to rabbits.
Common Buzzard parents continue care
With growing chicks to care for, the adults make regular visits to grab a snack for themselves at my feeding station and when the young fledgling follows its mother to the station, she immediately begins to feed it there. It will be six to eight weeks before it’s independent and until then its parents will care for it and show it ropes.
Second chick fledges
Six days after its sibling, the second chick fledges leaving the youngest alone in the nest. It's fascinating to see this last common buzzard chick exercise its wing muscles and hop about, eager to fly too.
Hidden cameras
I am able to follow this common buzzard family via remote cameras hidden close to their nest, but every so often these need to be reset. On my second visit, I find the last chick has left the nest too.
Juveniles competitive
As they grow the chicks, who were once so close, become increasingly competitive, fighting over food and chasing one another away.
Buzzard parents
Common buzzards typically mate for life, staying together all year round even after the chicks have fledged. They also demonstrate remarkable patience with their increasingly demanding chicks.
Buzzard feather development
As they mature, the plumage on each buzzard chick starts to change with darker colours giving way to lighter hues.
Time to leave home
As the young buzzards grow, their parents begin to withdraw until finally in November the female is ignoring their begging calls, and even pushing them off the feeding post. It's time they found territories of their own.
ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!
You can also follow me on these platforms:
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#robertefuller #buzzard #discoverwildlife
CHAPTERS
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00:00 Following a buzzard family
00:24 Buzzard vs vulture
01:33 What buzzards eat
01:55 Buzzard chicks get ready to fly
03:03 Buzzard parents continue to feed
04:10 Second chick fledges
06:40 Fledgling visits the nest
07:11 Juvenile buzzards grow in confidence
09:15 Buzzard behaviour
10:23 From fledglings to juveniles
10:54 Female chases young away
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© Robert E Fuller
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