Bristles between the eyes and base of a honey buzzard's bill prevent it being stung by its wasp and bee prey.
Their plumage is very variable, banded on the underside of wings with dark carpal patch and three bands on tail; dark trailing edge to wing and terminal bar on tail. The small pigeon-like head is grey in the male and browner in the female. In flight wing beats slower than buzzard.
Length: 52-60cm; wingspan: 135-150cm
Status in UK
33-69 pairs; AMBER listed; summer visitor (mid-May to September) winters in sub-Saharan Africa
Population trends
This species has always been rare in Britain with only sporadic breeding outside the New Forest in Hampshire. Its secretive nature, and local ornithologists unwillingness to report breeding attempts, make it difficult to chronicle trends. But better protection and climate change favouring its main prey - bees and wasps - suggest that the recent increases will continue.
Habitat and distribution
Very secretive bird found in woodland with rides and clearings, usually prefers broadleaves but will use mature conifer woods.
Honey buzzards are found in south central England, south Devon, east Midlands and East Anglia and the Black Isle in Scotland.
Breeding
The nest, built high in a tree, is a bulky structure topped off distinctively with green leafy twigs, which are renewed throughout the season. Breeding success is influenced by weather as in cold, wet summers wasps and bees are less plentiful.
Feeding
Principally wasps and bees; the adults are caught in flight and the grubs and pupae are dug out of the nests. It also takes beetles, grasshoppers and worms, which it hunts on the ground, as well as frogs, reptiles and small birds.
