European Honey Buzzard

Pernis apivorus

Genus · Typical Honey-buzzards Family · Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Observation tips Difficulty: HARD
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Canopy foliageForest clearingsMigration watchpoints

Look for the 'pigeon-headed' silhouette. Unlike the Common Buzzard, it often flies with wings held level or slightly bowed.

European Honey Buzzard

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan135–150 cm
Weight440–1050 g
Length52–60 cm
Lifespan wild10–15 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size2 eggs
Incubation30–35 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Insectivore

🐸Amphibians
🐝Bees
🍯Honeycomb

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🌿 Grassland
✦ Fun Fact

Honey Buzzards are long-distance migrants. During autumn, thousands cross narrow sea passages like the Strait of Gibraltar in a single day.

About

A specialized bird of prey and a summer visitor to Europe. It arrives from Africa in May. European Honey Buzzard is a secretive forest dweller. It has a small, pigeon-like head and a long, barred tail.

Behaviour

This raptor eats the larvae and nests of wasps and bees. It uses strong, straight claws to dig up wasp nests from the ground. Its face has scale-like feathers that protect it from stings. In spring, males perform a 'sky-dance' by clapping their wings together high above their backs.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Typically has a blue-grey head and a dark eye. The tail shows two narrow dark bands near the base and one broad band at the tip.

♀ Female

Usually has a brown head and a yellow eye. Her plumage is often more uniformly brown and more heavily barred than the male's.

Similar species

Common Buzzard
🐦
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
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