European honey buzzard

Overview

Wikipedia

The European honey buzzard, also known as the pern or common pern, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.

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Distribution

Region

Western Palearctic

Typical Environment

Breeds across much of Europe into western Russia and parts of western Asia, favoring broadleaf and mixed forests with access to open areas. During the non‑breeding season it occurs widely in sub‑Saharan Africa, using woodland, forest edges, and mozaic farmland. It prefers landscapes with abundant social wasps, including forest clearings, heathland, and rural edges. It generally avoids dense urban cores and treeless high mountains but uses wooded valleys and foothills.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size52–60 cm

Wing Span135–150 cm

Male Weight0.75 kg

Female Weight1 kg

Life Expectancy20 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Despite its name, the European honey buzzard feeds largely on the larvae and combs of wasps and bees rather than honey. It is a long‑distance migrant that breeds across Europe and western Asia and winters in sub‑Saharan Africa, often crossing the Sahara. Adults have scale‑like facial feathers and dense plumage that help protect them from stings while raiding nests. Males often show a greyer head and are thought to mimic the Common Buzzard’s plumage to deter predators.

Gallery

Scale-like feathers around the eyes and forehead provide armour against the stings of its prey species.[10]

The relatively straight claws facilitate digging and walking.[10]

Immature birds have a dull iris and yellow cere.

Eggs are heavily marked with brown on a white or pale buff background,[14] and measure 5.1 x 4.1 cm.[15]

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and secretive

Flight Pattern

soaring glider with elastic, shallow wingbeats

Social Behavior

Generally solitary or in pairs during breeding, nesting high in trees and often reusing or adapting old nests. Clutches usually contain two eggs, and both parents provision the young, frequently with wasp combs. On migration it can form loose groups along favorable routes and at thermal updrafts.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

Usually quiet, but the male gives a distinctive high-pitched, mewing whistle, often a two- or three-note call. Calls are most frequent near the nest or during display flights.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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