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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Wasp larvae
- Hornet larvae
- Common frogs
Predators
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl
- Northern Goshawk
ThreatsHabitat degradation, illegal shooting during migration, wind turbine collisions, and pesticide use
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, and open country during migration
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesPernis apivorus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their silent, secretive behavior in dense forest canopies during the breeding season.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 300 meters from active nests and avoid playing playback calls.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Mimicry Target caroline legg / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Prey (c) katunchik, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by katunchik · cc-by
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