Wildlife

UK Common Buzzard Diet and Welfare

The diet ecology of common buzzards and welfare implications of prey availability changes.

Key Facts

Common buzzards are generalist predators taking rabbits, voles, earthworms, and carrion
Myxomatosis affecting rabbit populations forces dietary flexibility in affected areas
Lead poisoning from shot game in carrion causes significant welfare harm
Earthworms are an important dietary component especially in poor weather
UK buzzard populations have benefited from reduced persecution and legal protection

Welfare Considerations

Individual buzzards face welfare risks from lead poisoning through contaminated prey, with lead-free ammunition representing the most important welfare intervention for this species.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for mandatory lead-free ammunition for game shooting
Advocate for voluntary lead-free shooting guidance to become legally required
Record buzzard sightings to assist population distribution monitoring