International Vulture Awareness Day!

Did you know that buzzards and vultures are different species? Buzzards and vultures are often mistaken for one another but they play very different roles in the ecosystem.

Buzzards are birds of prey that actively hunt small mammals, reptiles, and other animals using their talons and excellent eyesight. Vultures, on the other hand, are primarily scavengers. Rather than hunting live prey, they feed on carrion (dead animals), which helps to recycle nutrients and reduce the spread of disease.

How to tell them apart:

Vultures often have bare heads, whereas buzzards have fully feathered heads. Despite their differences, both birds are important for maintaining healthy ecosystems and can often be seen soaring overhead.