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Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus

 
 

InEuropean Honey-buzzard   CaAligot vesper   DaHvepsevåge   DeWespenbussard   EsAbejero europeo   Fimehiläishaukka   FrBondrée apivore   ItPecchiaiolo   NlWespendief   NoVepsevåk   PtBútio-vespeiro   SvBivråk   USEuropean Honey-buzzard   RuОсоед

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adult

adult
adult
underwing light
underwing light
European distribution
European distribution
female
female
  

Identification

It is best distinguished from the Common Buzzard by rather subtle differences in shape. The head is longer and narrower, the tail longer and slimmer and the wings are longer and held horizontally during soaring flight. Plumages of both buzzards are confusingly variable but Honey Buzzards are sometimes characteristically barred across the underwings and if you see that the tail has only three well-spaced bars then you can be sure you've got a Honey Buzzard.

Habitat

Breeds in mature deciduous woodland and parkland.

Behaviour

The most striking version of their soaring displays involves a characteristic wing quivering which looks as if the bird is clapping its wings together above its head. This starts with normal soaring to a considerable height, followed by a steep plunge to provide the momentum for a sudden upward swoop. At the top of this swoop, the bird stalls with its wings quivering above its back. This display is certainly performed by males but possibly not by females.

Migration

Birds migrate to tropical Africa during late August to mid-September, returning in May. Small numbers cross the Mediterranean Sea but most avoid doing so and therefore concentrate where the sea is narrowest, for example, at Gibraltar (approximately 100 000 each autumn) and Istanbul (up to 26 000 each autumn). Further east in Turkey, up to 136 000 birds have been counted passing down the eastern side of the Baltic and up to 850,000 have been counted in a single season in Eilat, Israel.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Scarce

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of Honey Buzzard

  21:01 23/10/09 Honey Buzzard E Sussex Hastings CP   
  18:23 23/10/09 Honey Buzzard E Yorks Flamborough Head   
  17:03 18/10/09 Honey Buzzard Cumbria Caldbeck 12:30 
Reported 14:53 17/10/09 Honey Buzzard Surrey Queen Mary Reservoir (Permit Only)   
Reported 11:09 17/10/09 Honey Buzzard Hants Southwick 16/10/09 
  13:54 08/10/09 Honey Buzzard Gwynedd Penrhyndeudraeth 13:35 
  19:56 07/10/09 Honey Buzzard Northumbs Cresswell Pond NWT 14:25 
  17:59 02/10/09 Honey Buzzard London Rainham Marshes RSPB 15:00 
  18:10 01/10/09 Honey Buzzard Suffolk Wickham Market   
Unconfirmed 14:56 01/10/09 Honey Buzzard Dorset Weymouth 14:00 

hide section Most recent photos of Honey Buzzard (10)

hide section Key UK sites for Honey Buzzard (3)

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show section European breeding populations (39)

show section Products featuring Honey Buzzard (11)

hide section External Links (1)

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob2310.htm http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob2310.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Honey BuzzardEdit this link Edit this link
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hide section Articles (1)

London Raptors: a review of September 2008  London Raptors: a review of September 2008  Webzine subscribers onlyNew content  Saturday 11th October 2008
A remarkable influx of raptors is documented by Inner London Recorder, Des McKenzie.

BirdGuides webzine BirdGuides webzine

hide section Reader comments (1)

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It's a bit late now, but I wish everyone reporting a honey buzzard would time their sighting - particularly those in the north. It would give us southern birders something to watch out for!
   Christine Reeve, 03/10/08 09:29Edit post Edit post Report inappropriate post Inappropriate
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