Diet of Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (Linnaeus, 1758) in an area of Northwestern Spain as assessed by direct observation from blinds

Abstract

Accuracy of raptor diet assessments can vary depending on the technique employed. In the available studies in Spain, the Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) shows a diverse and non-specialized diet, reflecting local and seasonal variation in the prey availability. This study reports information on the diet of the Common buzzard in an area of Northwestern Spain, on the basis of direct observation during 308 h. of four nests from blinds. The delivery prey rate to the nest was of 0.49 ± 0.04 items per hour. From a total of 145 prey delivered to the nests, 64.7% could be determined to the taxonomic level of class, 34.5% to the levels of species, genus or suborder and a 34.5% were undetermined prey items. Mammals and reptiles were the most frequent preys in their diet, while amphibians and birds were much less frequent. These results obtained are in agreement with those from previous studies carried out in the North of Spain based on other assessments raptor diet techniques.