buteo vulgaris

1 definition found

buteo vulgaris - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Buzzard \Buz"zard\ (b[u^]z"z[~e]rd), n.[O.E. busard, bosard, F.
     busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.]
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     1. (Zool.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to
        the genus Buteo and related genera.
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     2. (Zool.) In the United States, a term used for the turkey  vulture
         (Cathartes aura), and sometimes
        indiscriminately to any vulture.
        [PJC]
  
     Note: The Buteo vulgaris is the common buzzard of Europe.
           The American species (of which the most common are
           Buteo borealis, Buteo Pennsylvanicus, and Buteo lineatus
           ) are usually called hen hawks. -- The
           rough-legged buzzard, or bee hawk, of Europe (Pernis apivorus
           ) feeds on bees and their larv[ae], with other
           insects, and reptiles. -- The moor buzzard of Europe is
           Circus [ae]ruginosus. See Turkey buzzard, and
           Carrion buzzard.
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     Bald buzzard, the fishhawk or osprey. See Fishhawk.
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     2. A blockhead; a dunce.
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              It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not
              be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a
              buzzard.                              --Goldsmith.
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