The common buzzard is now the most abundant raptor in Britain following recovery from historical persecution, but its welfare continues to be threatened by illegal poisoning, road mortality, and secondary rodenticide exposure.
Common buzzard welfare is threatened by a combination of illegal poisoning on game estates, secondary rodenticide poisoning, and road mortality. Poisoning cases detected by the RSPB Wildlife Crime Unit represent only a fraction of actual incidents due to the difficulty of finding carcasses in upland terrain. Rodenticides used in second-generation anticoagulant form accumulate in livers over time, causing sublethal welfare impacts before eventual death. Vehicle collisions while eating roadkill are the most visible mortality source.