Common buzzard
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Medium sized bird of prey (approx 58 cm or 23 in). Sturdy build, medium span (approx 132 cm or 4.5 ft) and variable colouration. Relatively short tail. Dorsal plumage of dark brown colour and lighter brown in the underparts; white spots on the breast with great variability between individuals. Bare tarsi. In flight, its short and wide wings with a wide white spot and a fan-shaped clear horizontal barred on the tail are its distinctive features.
Where it lives
Very generalist species and able to accommodate to any type of habitat and even to the presence of man. To nest, it prefers areas with an average degree of plant cover, using grasslands, countryside, crops, mountain forest stands and open areas.
How it lives
Resident species in the province all year round. Malaga also hosts wintering individuals and an important migratory passage of buzzards. It starts breeding in April, making an annual laying of 2 to 3 eggs. Nest in trees. Very variable feeding, from insects and invertebrates, to carrion and prey of small and medium size. It virtually takes advantage of any available resource.
Where it can be seen in Malaga
Frequent bird in the province. It can be observed in almost the entire Great Path. In particular, for example, in stages 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 25, 31, 32 and 33.
Curious facts
Bustards are quiet birds, which are usually perched on poles or wires on the margins of roads. They also spend a lot of time gliding in open spaces. Its common name in Spanish ("ratonero") and Latin (stemming from "buteo" or "busio") makes reference to the fact that they are eagles that hunt mice.
Similar birds
Routes where it can be observed
- Campillos – Sierra de Yeguas
- El Cerro de Santi Petri
- Genal and Guadiaro rivers junction
- Genil River banks
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 06. Frigiliana - Cómpeta
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 12. Villanueva del Rosario - Archidona
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 13. Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 14. Villanueva de Tapia - Villanueva de Algaidas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 15. Villanueva de Algaidas - Cuevas Bajas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 16. Cuevas Bajas - Alameda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 18. Fuente de Piedra - Campillos
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 19. Campillos - Embalses del Guadalhorce
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 20. Embalses del Guadalhorce - Estación de El Chorro (Álora)
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 23. El Burgo - Ronda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 24. Ronda - Estación de Benaoján
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 25. Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 26. Jimera de Líbar - Benalauría
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 27. Benalauría - Genalguacil
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 28. Genalguacil - Casares
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 29. Casares - Estepona
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 31. Marbella - Ojén
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 33. Mijas - Benalmádena
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 35. Alhaurín de la Torre - Málaga
- Lagunas de Campillos
- Los Llanos de Antequera – Cartaojal – La Sarteneja
- Monte de San Antón (Málaga)
- Montes de Malaga Natural Park
- Sierra de Arcas
- Valley of the Guadalhorce River