ExploreBirds

European Honey-buzzard

Pernis apivorus

The European Honey-buzzard is a special bird that loves to eat wasps and bees! With its long wings and beautiful colors, it soars high in the sky, looking for food in forests and fields.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The European Honey-buzzard has unique pale underparts with distinct barring on its tail and dark primary wing feathers. Its head is relatively small with striking yellow eyes, differentiating it from the more robust Common Buzzard.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusPernis
European Honey-buzzard
feathered trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badge
European Honey-buzzard

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Some honey-buzzards have dark patterns that make them look like dangerous goshawks to scare away enemies!

Their nostrils can close almost completely, stopping dirt and stinging insects from getting in!

They rub their feathers with formic acid from ants, which helps keep nasty parasites away.

Unlike most raptors, they often walk on the ground, poking around for food with their beaks.

Special abilities

Ability

Sting-Proof Digger

European Honey-buzzard has thick, overlapping feathers and specialized scales protecting them from stings, allowing them to dig up wasp nests safely.

Ability

Underground Feast Finder

European Honey-buzzard has powerful talons and a strong beak that helps them excavate deep into soil to reach hidden wasp larvae.

Ability

Forest Detective

European Honey-buzzard can spot camouflaged wasp nests from high above because of its incredibly sharp eyesight, even through dense canopy.

Measurements & details

Length
52-60 cm
Wingspan
110-135 cm
Weight
0.5-1.1 kg
Lifespan
10-25 years
Top Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
1-3
Incubation
30-35 days
Migration Distance
8000 km

Diet & Feeding

These birds mainly feast on tasty insect larvae, pupae, and honey found in underground nests!

Primary Foods

  • Wasp larvae
  • Wasp pupae
  • Honey
  • Adult wasps
  • Bees
  • Small amphibians

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Common Wasp

Vespula vulgaris

Main prey, eating larvae and pupae from their nests.

hunts

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Feeds on honey and larvae from their nests.

eaten by

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Goshawks may predate honey-buzzard eggs or chicks in nests.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and never try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is European Honey-buzzard?

52-60 cm

What is European Honey-buzzard's wingspan?

110-135 cm

How much does European Honey-buzzard weigh?

0.5-1.1 kg

How long does European Honey-buzzard live?

10-25 years

How fast can European Honey-buzzard move?

70 km/h

What does European Honey-buzzard eat?

These birds mainly feast on tasty insect larvae, pupae, and honey found in underground nests!

Where is European Honey-buzzard usually found?

Forests

How does European Honey-buzzard hunt?

Foraging

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