The European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), also known as the pern or common pern, Linnaeus cited earlier works including the 1678 description by the English naturalist Francis Willughby and the 1713 description by John Ray. The European honey buzzard is now one of four species placed in the genus Pernis that was introduced by Georges Cuvier in 1816. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised. In fact, bees are much less important than wasps in the birds' diet. Note that it is accordingly called ("wasp buzzard") in German and similarly in some other Germanic languages and also in Hungarian ("darázsölyv").

Despite its English name, this species is more closely related to kites of the genera Leptodon and Chondrohierax than to true buzzards in Buteo.

Description

thumb|Scale-like feathers around the eyes and forehead provide armour against the stings of its prey species.

[[file:Beine Wespenbussard-.jpg|thumb|The relatively straight claws facilitate digging and walking.

Status in Britain

The bird is scarcely observed in the United Kingdom, though its presence is increasing. In the UK, it is protected as a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with the occasional nests kept secret by authorities to avoid disturbances by egg collectors. The species's growing presence in the UK might be the result of maturing upland conifer forests.

Mimicry

The similarity in plumage between juvenile European honey buzzard and common buzzard may have arisen as a partial protection against predation by Eurasian goshawks. Although that formidable predator is capable of killing both species, it is likely to be more cautious about attacking the better protected Buteo species, with its stronger bill and talons. Similar Batesian mimicry is shown by the Asian Pernis species, which resemble the Spizaetus hawk-eagles. and measure 5.1 x 4.1 cm.

thumb|An immature bird raiding a wasp nest

Feeding

It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae and nests of wasps and hornets, although it will take small mammals, reptiles, and birds. It is the only known predator of the invasive Asian hornet.

References

  • (European) honey buzzard species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
  • Ageing and sexing (PDF; 5.4 MB) by Javier Blasco Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze
  • European Honey-Buzzard Text, map, photographs and audio at Oiseaux.net
  • Honey-buzzard in Britain Identification, calls, movements.