CreatureData

Common buzzard vs Gray hawk

The common buzzard is heavier: 759.1 g against 519 g for the gray hawk, about 46% more.

Common buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Common buzzard LCLeast Concern
Photo: caroline legg · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Gray hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Gray hawk LCLeast Concern
Photo: The Lilac Breasted Roller from Sullivan's Island, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a common buzzard and a gray hawk?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The common buzzard is heavier: 759.1 g against 519 g for the gray hawk, about 46% more.
  • Both belong to the genus Buteo, so they are close relatives.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Side by side

Common buzzardGray hawk
Scientific nameButeo buteoButeo plagiatus
FamilyAccipitridaeAccipitridae
OrderAccipitriformesAccipitriformes
Weight550 g – 1.3 kg429.8 g – 624 g
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan25.3 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatgrasslandforest
Conservation statusLeast ConcernLeast Concern
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: Common buzzardFull record: Gray hawkCompare other animals