Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Buzzard \Buz"zard\ (b[u^]z"z[~e]rd), n.[O.E. busard, bosard, F.
   busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to
      the genus {Buteo} and related genera.

   Note: The {Buteo vulgaris} is the common buzzard of Europe.
         The American species (of which the most common are {B.
         borealis}, {B. Pennsylvanicus}, and {B. lineatus}) are
         usually called hen hawks. -- The rough-legged buzzard,
         or bee hawk, of Europe ({Pernis apivorus}) feeds on
         bees and their larv[ae], with other insects, and
         reptiles. -- The moor buzzard of Europe is {Circus
         [ae]ruginosus}. See {Turkey buzzard}, and {Carrion
         buzzard}.

   {Bald buzzard}, the fishhawk or osprey. See {Fishhawk}.

   2. A blockhead; a dunce.

            It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not
            be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a
            buzzard.                              --Goldsmith.