Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) juvenile flight La Janda_0451
Someone asked me once if Honey Buzzards eat honey. It may have been a logical question but I explained kindly that they have a mixed diet but these medium-sized raptors have earned their names by raiding the nests of bees and wasps.
Their eyelids are particularly thick and the scales on their legs are also thick. I am told that If you get a chance to watch them at a stinging insect nest, they shut their eyes tightly and open their wings half-way and gently fan the nest with what some believe to be a naturally evolved pheromone secreted in glands under the wings that calms or subdues the defending insects.
They are also very patient birds and in forests, they sit and watch below the flight of wasps and wild bees and hop & fly from tree to tree to find the ultimate goal - the nest!
Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) juvenile flight La Janda_0451
Someone asked me once if Honey Buzzards eat honey. It may have been a logical question but I explained kindly that they have a mixed diet but these medium-sized raptors have earned their names by raiding the nests of bees and wasps.
Their eyelids are particularly thick and the scales on their legs are also thick. I am told that If you get a chance to watch them at a stinging insect nest, they shut their eyes tightly and open their wings half-way and gently fan the nest with what some believe to be a naturally evolved pheromone secreted in glands under the wings that calms or subdues the defending insects.
They are also very patient birds and in forests, they sit and watch below the flight of wasps and wild bees and hop & fly from tree to tree to find the ultimate goal - the nest!