Birds of Prey in Britain

White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

Length:      70-90cm

Wingspan: 200-240cm

UK pop.:    100+ pairs

The white-tailed sea eagle became extinct in Britain in the early 1900's. A successful re-introduction programme on the West Coast of Scotland has seen the numbers rise steadily since the 1970’s. The largest bird of prey in Britain, this eagle will snatch fish from the water. The white-tailed eagle will also hunt mammals and waterfowl, as well as eating carrion. The majority of the population in Britain is found only in the highlands and islands of the west of Scotland, with a few pairs around Fife and the glens of Angus. The white-tailed sea eagle will build its nest on rocky ledges and in large trees.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Length:      51-57cm

Wingspan: 113-128cm

UK pop.:    70,000 pairs

Now the most common and most widespread UK bird of prey, they have recovered well from near extinction in the 1950's when myxomatosis in the rabbit population, their main diet, almost saw their demise. Remarkably adaptable, the buzzard has developed into a scavenger, often preferring road-kill and carrion to live prey. Buzzards will take small to medium mammals, birds, and even worms. Highly adaptable they are spotted in most environments including the edge of towns and cities, building its nest in large trees.

Sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus)

Length:      28-38cm

Wingspan: 55-70cm

UK pop.:    35,000 pairs

The sparrow-hawk has recovered well from the use of pesticides. So intent on the pursuit of prey, many are killed or injured colliding with trees or windows. Sparrow-hawks will hunt down birds up to their own size. Often blamed for the demise of song and garden birds, however, domestic cats and loss of habitat are the biggest culprits. Relatively widespread it can also be found in towns, cities. The sparrow-hawk will build its nest in tall trees.

Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Length:      44-52cm

Wingspan: 100-120cm

UK pop.:    500+ pairs

A ground nesting bird, the hen harrier suffered from persecution like many other birds of prey. Habitat loss contributed to the reduction in numbers. A striking difference between the dark brown female, and the grey male. The male is often seen transferring food to the female in flight during the breeding season. Usually habituating in Northern England and Scotland in open areas with low vegetation the can be seen more often in the South during the winter months. The hen harrier feeds on small mammals and ground nesting birds.

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Length:      39-50 cm

Wingspan: 95-115 cm

UK pop.:    1,500 pairs

For many years, the peregrine falcon suffered from direct persecution by man. During both world wars, a "shoot to kill" policy existed, as the peregrine was responsible for killing many carrier pigeons. Pesticides also contributed to their demise - introduced to kill off the birds feeding on crops, it was introduced into the food chain. Now, thanks to the dedication and hard work by the Falconry Community, their numbers have been re-established. The fastest creature on earth, reaching speeds in excess of 200 mph. Peregrines have adapted well to city life, nesting on tall buildings, and feeding on city dwelling pigeons. Feeding only on birds, the peregrine lays its eggs directly on to rocky ledges, or ledges on buildings.

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Length:      25-30cm

Wingspan: 50-62cm

UK pop.:    1,100 pairs

The smallest of the british falcons, they are swift fliers and skilled hunters who specialize in preying on small birds in the size range of sparrows to quail. A heath and moorland dweller, the merlin has not suffered from historical persecution like other birds of prey. In winter they are more prevalent as Icelandic birds migrate south. The merlin will hunt small to medium sized birds, including wading birds. The merlin nests mainly in open moorland.

Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo)

Length:      60 - 75 cm

Wingspan: 160 - 188 cm

UK pop.:    70 pairs

There is no evidence to confirm if the Eurasian (aka European) eagle owl was a resident of Britain in past centuries or not. However, there are reported to be some seventy breeding pairs. It is possible those birds are escapees, released illegally, or have arrived from the Continent. One of the largest owls in the world, this ferocious bird will dominate its territory, killing, or driving off, other birds of prey. Large enough to kill foxes and roe-deer, eagle owls will feed on rabbits, hares, and birds up to the size of buzzards. The eagle owl will nest in scrapes among rocks, the ideal habitat is abandoned quarries.

Barn owl (Tyto alba)

Length:      33-39cm

Wingspan: 80-95cm

UK pop.:    4,000 pairs

This once common owl is now endangered. Loss of habitat and nesting sites due to modern farming methods, combined with pesticides such as DDT in the 1950s and '60s, and the modern-day use rodenticides, have caused the numbers to drop rapidly to a dangerous level, estimated at around four thousand breeding pairs. Nocturnal, the barn owl will hunt by flying low, and slowly over the ground, quartering, using its remarkable hearing to search for voles, shrews, and mice. The barn owl will nest in hollow trees, buildings, and rock crevices. Over half the breeding population of barn owls in Britain now nest in man-made boxes.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Length:      34-42cm

Wingspan: 90-105cm

UK pop.:    1,400 pairs

Short-eared owls prefer to hunt in open moorland, heath and marsh. Often seen during daylight, they hunt in a similar way to barn owls, quartering and hovering over the ground in search of prey. More research is required to establish the approximate number of short-eared owls in Britain. The population greatly increase during winter with the arrival of over-wintering birds from the Continent. Main diet consists of voles, however, they will feed on other small mammals if required. The short-eared owl will nest in a ground scrape, usually in tall vegetation.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Length:      52-60cm

Wingspan: 145-170cm

UK pop.:    800 pairs

The most well-known of the annual visitors to Britain. Persecuted to extinction in the early 1900's, a pair of ospreys re-appeared in Scotland in the late 1950's, and bred successfully. Since then, breeding pair numbers have grown, and the species has become more widespread throughout Britain. The Osprey winters in Africa, returning each year to the same nesting site. Feeding on an exclusive diet of fish, the osprey will build its nest in a large tree, close to an abundant supply of food.

Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

Length:      52-60cm

Wingspan: 135-150cm

UK pop.:    40 pairs

Wintering in Africa, the honey buzzard visits Britain from April to August to breed. The honey buzzard does not eat honey, but feeds on the larvae of wasps and bees. Evolution has provided the tools to enable this bird to cope with stings, hard scaly feathers on the head, and to extract the larvae from the nest. The honey buzzard will rely on a substitute diet of small mammals, birds, eggs, and fruit, if required. The nests of the honey buzzard are built in tall conifers.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

Length:      48-65cm

Wingspan: 110-160cm

Only the white gyrfalcon from Greenland and Canada has been seen in Britain, in the Northern Isles. The gyr is the largest of the falcon family. This powerful bird is capable of taking down geese and seabirds. In the tundra, the gyr will nest on rocky ledges.