European Honey Buzzard

Pernis apivorus

Photo by Daniele Occhiato

Description

Photo taken: Passo della Raticosa, Tuscany - Italy

Identification

Western Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus RANGE Widespread in Eurasia and Africa. A summer visitor to most of Continental Europe, breeding north to the English Channel, Denmark, and much of Scandinavia north to the head of Gulf of Bothnia and east across northern Asia.. The southern limits are central Spain, Corsica and central Italy and the Black Sea. Range is rather patchy in France and parts of central Europe, Greece and Turkey. Also breeds in the Caucasus and a rare breeder in Britain with a scattered population of under 30 pairs in southern and eastern England and in north-central Scotland.

A passage migrant through most of the southern Europe and the Middle East, peak periods May and late August-September. Seen at the major raptor migration points in good numbers but not confined to them. Regular at Falsterbo, Gibraltar, the Bosphorus, the Caucasus and Eilat, but also seen at Sicily, Cap Bon, Malta, Crete and Cyprus. Apart from the small breeding population the Honey Buzzard is a scarce passage migrant to Britain with about 100 recorded per year mainly at migration watchpoints on the east and south coasts but autumn 2000 saw an exceptional influx, particularly in September, with perhaps as many as 2000 birds recorded.

Widespread in African wintering range from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to the Cape.

Vagrant north to Ireland, Iceland and Faroes, also the Canary Islands.

HABITAT Mature deciduous woodland, usually open, with grassy glades, and meadows, sometimes forest edge or parkland. In the north often in open pine and spruce forest.

Bird Song

<flashmp3>Pernis apivorus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
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External Links

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