Encyclopedia of The Bible – Buzzard
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Buzzard

BUZZARD buz’ erd (רָאָה׃֙, buzzard; RSV Deut 14:13 [KJV kite, ASV falcon]). This is the fifth in the Levitical list of unclean birds and by Driver’s argument (see Owl) this would fit the buzzards and/or falcons. (He is incorrect in placing buzzards, harriers, and falcons in the Falconidae, to which only the latter belong.) Buzzards are broad-winged soaring hawks taking a range of prey and the Heb. name may derive from their mewing call. They are well-known in Pal. as both residents and migrants: common buzzard, in dark and pale forms, honey buzzard and long-legged buzzard.