Buteo
Buteo is a genus of medium-to-large diurnal birds of prey, including many hawks in the Americas and buzzards in the Old World.
Accipitridae: Accipitridae is a family of diurnal birds of prey that includes hawks, eagles, kites, and Old World vultures. Buteo is one genus within this diverse raptor family.
Red-tailed hawk: The red-tailed hawk is a widespread North American Buteo recognized by its adult’s rusty-red tail. It is a familiar species that illustrates the genus’s broad distribution and varied plumage.
Raptor vision: Raptor vision is the visual system of birds of prey, adapted for resolving detail and detecting prey at a distance. Sharp vision helps Buteos locate prey from perches and during flight.
Accipiter: Accipiter is a genus of agile hawks, including goshawks and sparrowhawks, adapted for pursuit through wooded habitats. Accipiters tend to have shorter, rounded wings and longer tails than broad-winged Buteos.
Birdwatching: Birdwatching is the observation and identification of wild birds, often in their natural habitats. Buteos are prominent subjects for identifying plumage, flight, and calls in the field.
Raptor: A raptor is a bird of prey that hunts animals with hooked bills and grasping feet bearing sharp talons. Buteos share the defining predatory adaptations of raptors.
Common buzzard: The common buzzard is a variable-plumaged Buteo widespread across much of Europe and parts of Asia. Its Old World name highlights how Buteos are commonly called buzzards outside the Americas.
Thermal: A thermal is a rising column of warm air created when the ground heats the air above it. Buteos use thermals to soar while conserving energy.
Falcon: Falcons are birds of prey in the family Falconidae, distinct from hawks and eagles in Accipitridae. Falcons are a familiar kind of raptor, but they are not members of Buteo or its family.
Raptor migration: Raptor migration is the seasonal movement of birds of prey between breeding and nonbreeding regions. Counts of migrating Buteos help track their seasonal movements and population trends.