bird · GBIF taxon 2480420
European Honey Buzzard
Pernis apivorusAlso known as Pern, Common Pern, Honey Kite
European honey buzzards are specialized summer visitors to Europe that feed almost exclusively on the larvae and nests of social wasps and hornets. They possess unique scale-like feathers around their eyes and bill that act as armor against stings, along with slit-like nostrils to prevent dirt from entering while digging up underground nests. Each autumn, these raptors embark on spectacular long-distance migrations to sub-Saharan Africa, navigating around large bodies of water by concentrating at narrow sea crossings.
MigratoryInsectivorousRaptor
- diet
- Wasp and hornet larvae, pupae, and adults, supplemented by frogs and small mammals
- family
- Accipitridae
- threats
- Habitat degradation, illegal shooting during migration, wind turbine collisions, and pesticide use
- life Span
- 10 to 15 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Highly sensitive to human disturbance near their nests, which can cause parents to abandon their eggs.
Maintain a distance of at least 300 meters from active nests and avoid playing playback calls.- Migration Watch: Look for them at famous bottleneck sites like Gibraltar or the Bosporus during autumn.
- Distinguish from Buzzards: Watch for a longer tail, narrower neck, and a pigeon-like head profile in flight.
- Respect Nesting Sites: Avoid entering deep woodland nesting territories during the sensitive breeding season in early summer.