European honey buzzard

European honey buzzard A raptor that raids the wasp nest

עקב צרעיםPernis apivorus

The European honey buzzard is a brown and barred raptor that breeds in European forests. It is a specialist in eating wasps and bees, and it digs up nests and eats the grubs. Hundreds of thousands pass through Israel each autumn on their way to tropical Africa. Huge flocks spiral up on warm air currents and then glide south, in sights that are visible from inland lookouts and along the coast. Counts of the birds in Israel have helped scientists follow European populations.

Glossary: European honey buzzard