Buzzards in captivity

[MerseyView]

Hi, (I'm new, first ever post)

Just wondering what is the "average" age a Common Buzzard can/will live to in captivity??

I have one at the moment he's 31+ (I can only account for 31 years, he was owned by someone else before I gained him so hence the + not sure how many years over the 31 he is).

Thanks.

[frootdog]

Early to mid thirties is VERY old for raptors in general. My sponsor recently had a HH that died that was 36 yrs. I read about a 30something RT in American Falconry that recently died. I believe that one was only 31 or 32, but I'm going by memory so don't hold me to it.

[MerseyView]

Thanks, I'm trying to find out as he's showing his age and I'm starting to wonder how long he has left. I'm glad that you say 30ish is generally an old age for Raptors. I'll be gutted when he goes though.

I retired him from flying a few years back more him telling me than the other way around. As a youngster he suffered a nasty wing break and still has external and internal clips, one of the reasons he was never returned to the wild considering this was when English buzzards nearly died out.



Later

[CHRIS]

Well I don't know about English buzzards but, early thirties in captivity is also what I heard. Best of luck with your freind. He sounds like an old and dear friend.