Birds · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae

European Honey Buzzard

Pernis apivorus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The European honey buzzard is a raptor specialised in an unusual food: it digs out the nests of wasps and bumblebees in the ground and eats the grubs and the comb. It has stiff, scale-like feathers on its face that protect it from stings and straight talons adapted to digging rather than gripping. In Spain it is a migrant that breeds in the northern woodlands and crosses the Strait of Gibraltar in spectacular concentrations.

Weight

360 g – 1.1 kg

Size

52 cm – 60 cm

Lifespan

29 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Temperate forestInsectivore Diurnal Nocturnal In pairs Bird Temperate forest

62countries 206parks43same family

Fun facts

GeneralIt digs out wasp and bumblebee nests; the feathers on its face protect it from the stings.
It digs out wasp nests with its feet and eats the grubs: stiff, scale-like feathers around its eyes and bill protect it from stings, and the wasps appear not to recognise it as a threat.
It crosses the Strait of Gibraltar in enormous concentrations: within a few days in May and September tens of thousands of honey buzzards may pass, one of the most remarkable migration spectacles in Europe.
Its plumage mimics the common buzzard's, and the prevailing hypothesis is defensive mimicry: by resembling a more aggressive raptor it suffers fewer attacks from crows and other birds.