The European Honey Buzzard: The Wasp Specialist Raptor
The European Honey Buzzard, a discreet and fascinating migratory raptor, known for its unique diet.
The enigmatic forest raptor
The European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) is a medium-sized diurnal raptor, a member of the Accipitridae family. This bird of prey, whose name means "bee-eater," is actually a specialist in the larvae and pupae of wasps and bumblebees. Its resemblance to the Common Buzzard is often a source of confusion, but several distinctive characteristics, including its silhouette in flight and its ground-hunting behavior, allow for its identification. The European Honey Buzzard is a long-distance migrant, spending only the summer months in Europe for breeding before heading to tropical Africa for winter. Let's discover this discreet and fascinating raptor.
Who is the European Honey Buzzard?
The European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) is a species of diurnal raptor belonging to the Accipitridae family. Its plumage is extremely variable, ranging from very dark brown to very pale, sometimes with reddish hues. Its head is relatively small and projected forward, giving it a "pigeon-like" appearance. Males often have a bluish-grey head, while females' heads are more brownish. A key adaptation to its diet is the presence of small scale-like feathers around the eyes and at the base of the beak, offering protection against Hymenoptera stings.
In flight, it distinguishes itself from the Common Buzzard by a more slender silhouette, wings appearing slightly longer and held slightly bowed downwards, with slow, ample beats. The tail, longer than that of the Buzzard, displays three distinct dark bars on the underside: a broad terminal bar and two finer ones towards the base. A dark circular patch is often visible at the wrist, under the wings.
Our ornithologist's advice
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on October 4, 2025.
My personal advice: The European Honey Buzzard is a fascinating raptor, although often difficult to distinguish from the Common Buzzard. To recognize it in flight, focus on its finer, more prominent head, the way it holds its wings (slightly bowed downwards), and the three distinct bars on its tail. Its call, a plaintive whistle, is also a valuable aid. Don't forget its migratory calendar: it is only present in Europe between May and October. Appreciate its discretion and unique ecological role, and support conservation efforts for forest mosaics and open environments, essential for its survival.
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Detailed Physical Characteristics
The European Honey Buzzard is a medium-sized raptor, with measurements that, without being imposing, give it a certain agility.
Dimensions and Weight
Length: Between 50 and 60 cm (19.7 to 23.6 in), from beak to tail.
Wingspan: Its wingspan varies from 118 to 150 cm (46.5 to 59 in).
Weight: A European Honey Buzzard generally weighs between 360 and 1100 g (0.8 to 2.4 lbs). Males are on average slightly lighter than females.
Perched, the European Honey Buzzard can be recognized by its small head and piercing gaze.
Scientific Dimensions and Records of the European Honey Buzzard
Characteristic
Male (typical)
Female (typical)
Overall Range / Record
Length (beak to tail)
50 – 58 cm (19.7 – 22.8 in)
52 – 60 cm (20.5 – 23.6 in)
50 – 60 cm (19.7 – 23.6 in)
Weight
360 – 950 g (0.8 – 2.1 lbs)
600 – 1100 g (1.3 – 2.4 lbs)
360 – 1100 g (0.8 – 2.4 lbs)
Wingspan
118 – 150 cm (46.5 – 59 in)
118 – 150 cm (46.5 – 59 in)
118 – 150 cm (46.5 – 59 in)
Lifespan (wild)
~7-10 years (avg.)
~7-10 years (avg.)
Up to 29 years (record)
These detailed dimensions highlight the stature of the European Honey Buzzard, a raptor adapted for agile flight for insect hunting and long migrations.
Not to be confused with...
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
The Common Buzzard is the most frequent source of confusion for the European Honey Buzzard. The latter is more slender, with a smaller head and a longer neck. Its longer tail has three distinct dark bars. In flight, the Honey Buzzard's wings are often held slightly bowed downwards, unlike the Buzzard which holds them in a more open "V" shape.
The Black Kite has a generally darker silhouette and its wings are more angular than those of the European Honey Buzzard. Its tail is slightly forked (which can appear straight when fanned), without the three distinct bars of the Honey Buzzard. The Black Kite's head is also less "pigeon-like" and proportionally smaller than the Honey Buzzard's. The Black Kite is an opportunistic scavenger, while the Honey Buzzard is a wasp nest specialist.
The European Honey Buzzard is a discreet raptor outside of migration and breeding periods. Pairs are monogamous and appear to be faithful for life, reforming bonds upon returning from wintering grounds.
Nesting
The nest is built primarily by the female, in the fork of a large tree (often deciduous), at a height of 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet) from the ground, within forest areas. She may build a new nest or reuse and line with fresh green leaves an old crow or buzzard nest. These green leaves probably serve as camouflage or an anti-parasitic measure.
Egg-laying occurs in the first half of June, and typically consists of 1 to 3 eggs (most often 2), white and stained with reddish-brown. Incubation lasts 30 to 35 days and is carried out by both parents, although the female is more assiduous. Juveniles fledge approximately 40 to 45 days after hatching.
European Honey Buzzard's Diet: A highly specialized diet
The European Honey Buzzard is a raptor with an extremely specialized diet, hence its name. Contrary to what the term "honey buzzard" might suggest, it very rarely hunts domestic bees and does not attack apiaries.
What the European Honey Buzzard eats:
Its main diet consists of:
Larvae, pupae, and eggs of social Hymenoptera: It feeds mainly on the brood (fleshy larvae and pupae) of wasps (especially social wasps) and bumblebees. It locates nests by observing the coming and going of insects or by walking on the ground.
Adult Hymenoptera: It also consumes adult insects, as well as wax and honey potentially found in the nests.
To extract underground nests, the European Honey Buzzard digs into the ground with its robust feet and beak, sometimes up to 40 cm (16 in) deep, unconcerned by stings. Its scale-like feathers protect its face. In spring, when the brood is less developed, or in late summer, it may supplement its diet with:
Small rodents, birds and their eggs, frogs, lizards, small snakes.
Fruits and berries.
Call and Vocalizations: A plaintive and characteristic whistle
The European Honey Buzzard is generally silent outside of the nesting and migration periods. Its most characteristic vocalization is a long, high-pitched, modulated whistle, often described as a "uiiuuuh" or "peee-lu," purer and less strident than that of the Common Buzzard.
This call is primarily emitted in flight, particularly during nuptial displays over the nesting territory, or to mark its territoriality. If disturbed near the nest, the adult may emit a harsher, faster call. Juveniles, meanwhile, beg for food with "ui ui ui" or "tiuk tiuk tiuk" sounds.
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Migration and Habitat of the European Honey Buzzard
The European Honey Buzzard is a long-distance trans-Saharan migrant. Populations nesting in Europe and Central Asia winter exclusively in tropical Africa, where they find sufficient resources.
It arrives in Europe to breed from mid-May, when insect populations are abundant, and departs from late July or early August until early October. Migration occurs in groups, taking advantage of rising thermal air currents to glide and conserve energy. These gatherings are particularly spectacular at convergence points like the Strait of Gibraltar or the Bosphorus.
Habitat
The European Honey Buzzard requires two types of environments to live: mature forest areas for nesting and open or semi-open spaces (clearings, meadows, wetlands, forest edges, cultivated fields) for hunting. It avoids large areas of intensive monoculture.
Distribution Map
Conservation Status and Symbolism
Conservation Status
The European Honey Buzzard is currently classified as « Least Concern » (LC) on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Its European population is estimated at over 110,000 pairs (in 1994), including 10,000 to 15,000 in France, and appears globally stable.
However, it is locally threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation (due to intensive agriculture and landscape standardization), the decline of its prey due to pesticide use, and illegal shooting during its migrations in certain countries.
Cultural Symbolism
Less present in folklore than other raptors, the European Honey Buzzard is often perceived as an enigmatic and discreet raptor, due to its hidden lifestyle and specialized diet. Its late arrival in Europe in spring is a sign of the return of warm weather and abundant insects.
Frequently Asked Questions about the European Honey Buzzard
Where does the European Honey Buzzard build its nest?
The European Honey Buzzard generally builds its nest in the fork of a large tree, 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet) above the ground, within forest areas. It may reuse old crow or common buzzard nests, which it often lines with fresh green leaves.
What does a European Honey Buzzard eat?
The European Honey Buzzard is a highly specialized raptor. Its diet consists mainly of larvae and pupae of social Hymenoptera, such as wasps and bumblebees, which it digs out from their underground or aerial nests. It may supplement its diet with other insects, small vertebrates, or fruits.
Does the European Honey Buzzard migrate?
Yes, the European Honey Buzzard is a long-distance migrant. European and Central Asian populations winter in tropical Africa. It arrives in Europe from mid-May and departs from late July to early October, using thermal currents for its long journeys.
What is the conservation status of the European Honey Buzzard?
The European Honey Buzzard is classified as « Least Concern » (LC) by the IUCN. Its population is generally stable, although it is locally threatened by habitat degradation, pesticide use, and illegal hunting during its migrations.
How to distinguish the European Honey Buzzard from the Common Buzzard?
In flight, the European Honey Buzzard has a more slender silhouette, a smaller and more prominent head (resembling that of a pigeon), and a longer tail with three distinct dark bars (one broad terminal, two finer ones). Its wings are often held slightly bowed downwards when gliding, unlike the Common Buzzard which holds them in a more open 'V' shape.
