The RSPB: Honey buzzard

Conservation status: Amber

The 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.

Overview

Latin name

Pernis apivorus

Family

Hawks, vultures and eagles (Accipitridae)

Where to see them

It nests in southern and eastern England, Wales, northern England and northern Scotland. There are wardened watchpoints in Devon and Norfolk.

When to see them

Mid-May to mid-August

What they eat

Mainly insect larvae of wasps and bees

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	33-69 pairs	-	-

* 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.