Abstract
Abstract The Common Buzzard is a widespread and abundant raptor in Europe. Recently, game keepers have argued that the buzzard population has increased in Hungary and is threatening valuable small game species. Hunting of the buzzard has been prohibited since 1933, and since 1954 it has also been protected by law, in Hungary. Here we review scientific literature on recent population changes of the species, prey composition, and anatomical constraints of foraging. We show that according to the Common Bird Monitoring Program the breeding population remained stable in 1992-2012. Because of its anatomy and its hunting techniques it is not able to hunt efficiently for valuable small game. According to studies made with different methods in different parts of Europe in the last century, most of its prey species are small mammals. Therefore, the Common Buzzard population may help sustain rodent populations, thus providing essential ecosystem services for agriculture. Game species can also occur in the diet, however the proportion is negligible and buzzards usually acquire such prey as carcasses or handicapped individuals. We found no justification in favour of lifting the hunting ban of Common Buzzards in Hungary.
Highlights
Population changeThe Common Buzzard is amongst the most abundant and widespread raptors in Europe
Farmers and other stakeholders recently raised the issue of lifting the protected status, legalizing hunting as a form of controlling buzzards. These stakeholders argue that the population has considerably increased in recent years and that these birds pose a serious risk for small game species with high economic value
This debate justified that BirdLife Hungary elected the species as the ‘Bird of the year’ in 2012, raising wide public awareness of the issue
Summary
Population changeThe Common Buzzard (hereinafter: buzzard) is amongst the most abundant and widespread raptors in Europe. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, when assessing the countrywide breeding population of buzzards, the Common Bird Monitoring Program offers a more valuable estimate compared to the National Game Management Database.
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