National Buzzard Day

National Buzzard Day is an American holiday dedicated to buzzards. These unusual birds have a unique migration mechanism. They return to their native land on the same day every year. The holiday is annually on March 15.

History

The creation of National Buzzard Day was inspired by a discovery made by Cleveland Metroparks, who noticed a startling pattern. The event took place in 1957. Buzzards living in the park returned from migration on March 15 in whole flocks. Interestingly, the birds always followed their internal calendar, even if it was a leap year. The return date always remained the same.

Since then, thousands of people have flocked to the park to witness the miraculous return of hundreds of birds from migration. Note that in the United States, the term buzzard refers to turkey vultures. In Europe, it is used for Old World birds, also referred to as vultures. The term may also describe a species of desert hawk native to North America.

Interesting facts

• The buzzard’s daily diet may include up to 30 small rodents.
• Adults can weigh up to 1.4 kg. On average, these birds weigh about 1 kg.
• These birds are not bad on the surface of the earth. They can easily walk about 200 meters.
• In nature, buzzards live an average of 26 years; in captivity, their age increases to 30 years.

How to celebrate

Head to Cleveland Metroparks for the mesmerizing spectacle of birds returning from wintering. Learn more about buzzards on this day.

Spread the word about National Buzzard Day on social media. Ask other users if they have watched these birds return from migration.

When is National Buzzard Day in 2025?

National Buzzard Day is observed on March 15 each year.

Observations