Weather WTF

[KRonn]

I don't recall ever seeing a buzzard. I think eastern Massachusetts is too "up scale" for them or something.   

[Caliga]

I don't recall ever seeing a buzzard. I think eastern Massachusetts is too "up scale" for them or something.   

The handsome creature I posted is a black vulture, and no, they don't live that far north... apparently (just checked this) the furthest north they live is south Jersey.

It looks like turkey vultures do go as far north as New England in the summer, but I don't recall ever seeing one when we lived up there.

[mongers]

I think he means a hawk.

No this is what we call a buzzard:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/buzzard/index.aspx

It's a fine looking bird of prey, quite large for our small island were all the large animals were killed off long ago.

[mongers]

Well into the 70s in southern England today; had a minor mechanic issue so had to walk 4 or 5 miles home through the forest and what with the heat, the stronger sunlight and  I kid you not a buzzard* circling me it would almost be a scene out of a disaster (british) movie. 


*Whatever a british buzzard is called in your country, but for us quite a big bird and a nice looking sawing flight.

Lol. I laughed at the buzzard part!     

Good thing you didn't stop, or lie down to take a nap.     

Yeah, it's weird must be the first time I've seen one in that bit of forest for 3-4 years; there used to be a old buzzard that sometimes flew down and swooped in front of my as I rode through the forest, sometimes as close as 20-30 feet.   

[ulmont]

I think he means a hawk.

No this is what we call a buzzard:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/buzzard/index.aspx

Yeah, that's a hawk.  Very similar to our red-tailed hawk in shape, size and coloration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tailed_Hawk

[CountDeMoney]

I think he means a hawk.

No this is what we call a buzzard:

That's a hawk, banana hammock.

[Razgovory]

I think he means a hawk.

No this is what we call a buzzard:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/buzzard/index.aspx

Yeah, that's a hawk.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buteo

[mongers]

I think he means a hawk.

No this is what we call a buzzard:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/buzzard/index.aspx

Yeah, that's a hawk.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buteo

In one sense that's exactly what they weren't, as originally hawk described a bird used for falconry, whereas buzzards are useless for that and so a different thing, an inferior bird, well at least as far as the uses humans can put them to.   

[Razgovory]

In another sense, they are both squids.  More realistically, it's a hawk.

[KRonn]

I do see hawks around here. When I worked in Boston, there were pigeons in the hospital parking garage. I used to see falcons, or maybe they were hawks, roaming around, hunting, in the garage.

[mongers]

In another sense, they are both squids.  More realistically, it's a hawk.

I was mealy pointing out the origin of the names, for more on the North American confusion with the naming of these birds of prey, see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzard

[Razgovory]

Actually it's a European confusion.  Anyway, I was already aware of the confusion between the British and American terms.  That's why I said "I think he means a hawk".  Despite my primitive bronze age beliefs, I do know a little about zoology.

[PDH]

I think that is a hawk, Mongers.

[Barrister]

Doesn't that bird look more like a hawk though?

[mongers]

Actually it's a European confusion.  Anyway, I was already aware of the confusion between the British and American terms.  That's why I said "I think he means a hawk".  Despite my primitive bronze age beliefs, I do know a little about zoology.

Yeah Raz, but with all due respect I actually get out and see these things, you're sitting about inside trying to apply a category to sometime and trying to win an argue about it on the internet.
Menwhile next time I see one, I'll think oh look a buzzard, because like the vast majority of Brits, that's what there called them.

Raz, might I make a suggestion, you get out more and spend less of the spring and summer days on the interweb ?