The Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is typically between 51 57 cm in length with a 110 to 130 cm wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor. There are around 40,000 breeding pairs in Britain. It is usually resident all year except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies. It breeds in woodland, usually on the fringes, but favours hunting over open land. It eats mainly small mammals, and will come to carrion.