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Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin namePernis apivorus FamilyHawks, vultures and eagles (Accipitridae) OverviewThe honey buzzard is a large bird of prey that is similar to the buzzard. It has got broad wings and a long tail. The plumage is very variable across all ages; typical adults are greyish-brown on its upperparts and whitish underparts. The nest sites of British breeding birds are usually kept secret to protect them from egg collectors. Numbers are increasing, perhaps as a result of upland conifer forest maturing. It is a summer visitor to its breeding sites and spends the winter in Africa. Where to see themIt nests in southern and eastern England, Wales, northern England and northern Scotland. There are wardened watchpoints in Devon and Norfolk. When to see themMid-May to mid-August What they eatMainly insect larvae of wasps and bees Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Adult male  Honey buzzard - adult male  Adult male in flight  Male  Female in flight Help the Honey buzzardJoin today and help us continue our conservation work to keep these birds safe. |
Honey buzzard in flight - Graham Catley
Honey buzzards at the nest - Steve Roberts - Wales Raptor Study Group
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)