Winter Hawk - a bird of the Accipitridae family
It resembles a buzzard in build, but is somewhat larger, with longer wings and a longer tail. The predominant coloration on the underside is pale buff, very light. A characteristic element of the wing's underside coloration is small mottling on the wing coverts, a large dark brown spot at the bend of the wing, and dark tips on the primaries, forming a wide border along the trailing edge of the wing; there are also 2-4 narrow stripes on the secondaries and partially on the primaries. The upper side of the wing is relatively uniformly ochre-brown, with lightening at the bases of the primaries, and the leading edge of the wing is also lighter than the rest of its upper surface. The tail is almost pure white on both the upper and lower sides, with a wide pre-terminal dark band and 1-4 narrower ones. There are suggestions that males have 2-4 narrow bands, while females have only 1, and rarely 2; moreover, older birds tend to have more bands on their tails.
On the belly, there are concentrations of dark spots, partially merging into larger spots on the sides or even into one large spot. The head and neck also have numerous mottles. Observations suggest that females usually have a darker belly, while males often have darker heads and necks, with lighter bellies. However, the feather pattern is subject to significant individual variation.
Females are slightly larger than males. Young birds are generally lighter than adults, but their bellies are entirely dark brown; the head, neck, and chest are light with longitudinal mottling, and the edge band on the tail is one, wide, and blurred, sometimes very pale. The upper wing coverts and back are usually much lighter than those of older birds, and the light area at the bases of the primaries is usually whiter, with fewer mottles on the underside of the wing. In their second year, the coloration is intermediate between juvenile and adult plumage. All birds have light brown or brownish eyes, and the entire tarsus is feathered. They are eager and often soar for long periods, with their wings slightly raised above the horizontal. They often hunt in slow flight and can hover in place in the wind, only slightly adjusting their body position with their wings. Weight ranges from 700 to 1700 g, length is 50-61 cm, with male wings measuring 40.3-46.0 cm and females 43.0-47.3 cm, and wingspan is 120-150 cm.
For nesting, they choose areas in river valleys. Nests can be located on various elevations, slopes, and cliffs, but can also be on flat areas, and very rarely – in trees. Laying occurs in late May to early June, with 3 to 6 eggs that are white with reddish spots. The female incubates for 30-35 days. The chicks fledge at 6-7 weeks of age.
When a person approaches the nest, buzzards always raise a cry. Their nasal, mournful calls are very annoying.
If the word “to buzzard” comes from the word “buzzard,” then this is a very fair analogy. Although it could also be the other way around, and that is equally true. Buzzards boldly swoop down on foxes and dogs to defend their nests, striking with their claws. They occasionally dive at humans but are afraid to touch them.
They feed on various rodents – voles, lemmings, and other mouse-like creatures, and rarely hunt birds.
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