Pernis apivorus
European Honey-Buzzards are rare visitors to South Africa during our summer months, arriving around November and departing again by May. While they’ve been recorded in all our provinces it seems most of the limited sightings are in and around Gauteng. Their breeding range stretches from western Europe to central Asia, migrating to sub-Saharan Arica when the northern climes get chilly. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern, with an estimated population of between a quarter- and half-a-million.
European Honey Buzzards are insectivorous and have a particular liking for wasp and bee larvae and pupae, even digging up nests from underground. They are usually encountered in densely vegetated habitats, like forest, woodland, plantations and gardens. They’re about 55cm long and weigh approximately 750g.
DeWetsWild 
Die mooi voëltjie in die banner trek toe my aandag heeltemal af 😁
😀
Ek is darem bly om te weet die nuwe fotos wat ons vir die blog gekies het trek darem aandag!
😅😅
Great captures – we have only once seen one around here. Their long migrations are awesome.
Thank you, Carol! The few times we’ve seen them in our wild places were always a treat.
So, dis ‘n voel wat letterlik die wereld vol vlieg! Jy’t mooi foto’s hier geneem!
Baie dankie, Corna. Dis fassinerend hoe maklik voels sulke enorme afstande in n paar dae afle.
Well done – again 🙂
Thank you kindly, Anne!
This bird has all the tools to be a hunter of mammals, however he loves insects? That’s odd. Thanks, D. 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how there’s a creature to fill every niche, H.J!?
What a marvelous, powerful bird – great shots!
Raptors are such magnificent creatures, even if they feed mainly on bees and wasps!