- Pernis apivorus
Identification
This species is almost as variable as Eurasian Buzzard (= Common Buzzard), but one almost invariable feature (at least in adult birds) is the tail pattern with one dark band at the end and two near the basis of the tail. In flight holds its head with bill pointing forwards, often compared to the head of a Common Cuckoo, while Common Buzzard has its bill pointing downwards.
Distribution
Widespread in Eurasia and Africa. A summer visitor to most of Continental Europe, breeding north to the English Channel, Denmark, and much of Scandinavia north to the head of Gulf of Bothnia and east across northern Asia. The southern limits are central Spain, Corsica, and central Italy and the Black Sea. Range is rather patchy in France and parts of central Europe, Greece, and Turkey. Also breeds in the Caucasus and a rare breeder in Britain with a scattered population of under 30 pairs in southern and eastern England and in north-central Scotland.
A passage migrant through most of the southern Europe and the Middle East, peak periods May and late August-September. Seen at the major raptor migration points in good numbers but not confined to them. Regular at Falsterbo, Gibraltar, the Bosphorus, the Caucasus and Eilat, but also seen at Sicily, Cap Bon, Malta, Crete, and Cyprus. Apart from the small breeding population the Honey Buzzard is a scarce passage migrant to Britain with about 100 recorded per year mainly at migration watchpoints on the east and south coasts but autumn 2000 saw an exceptional influx, particularly in September, with perhaps as many as 2000 birds recorded.
Widespread in African wintering range from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to the Cape.
Vagrant north to Ireland, Iceland and Faroes, also the Canary Islands.
Taxonomy
This monotypic species used to include Oriental Honey Buzzard, but that species was recently split off.
Habitat
Mature deciduous woodland, usually open, with grassy glades, and meadows, sometimes forest edge or parkland. In the north often in open pine and spruce forest.
Behaviour
Feeds on larvae of wasps and bees which it digs out of mainly underground nests.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Pernis apivorus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
