Birds and wildlife

Honey Buzzard

Pernis apivorusGroup: Kites, hawks and eaglesUK Conservation status:Not assessed

How to identify

The Honey Buzzard is a large bird of prey that is similar to the Buzzard. It has broad wings and a long tail. The plumage is very variable across all ages - typical adults are greyish-brown on their upperparts and whitish on underparts. The nest sites of British breeding birds are usually kept secret to protect them from egg collectors. They are also listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act offering them additional protection. 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.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts