Latin Etymology: Pernis (a hawk mentioned by Aristotle) apivorus ("bee-eating")
Adult European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) at Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint, Nottinghamshire - June 2020
Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 500-1000g / Length: 52-60 cm / Wingspan: 135-150 cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Out of all of Britain's raptors, the Eurasian Honey Buzzard is arguably the most perculiar. For one, it's name manages to be wrong on two counts; it is not a buzzard, being related more to the Kites, and it doesn't feed on honey or even bees - it is instead a speacialist of feeding on wasp larvae, whose nests it raids. It's also a very secretive bird compared to other raptors - there are a number of publicly known watchpoints such as Welbeck where I saw this one, but even these are not guarantees, with them spending comparatively little time in easy view.
Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Pernis
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A very scarce and local breeding Summer migrant (40+ pairs).
- A single bird at Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint in June 2020, .
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