Honey Buzzard
Scientific Name: Pernis ApivorusMaltese Name: Kuccarda
Family: Hawks, vultures and eagles (Accipitridae)
Occurence: Common Migrant
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
A big long winged buzzard with a small head and a rather long tail with three dark bands. It has variable plumage patterns. The male has a grey head, Female has a brownish head and juvenile has a much whitish head with a yellow base at the bill. The Honey Buzzard migrates in flocks and is usually seen in the afternoons. They spend their winter in Africa south of the Sahara. Like many other birds of prey, the honey buzzard finds it difficult to fly over open sea difficult so they prefer to soar on rising air which occurs on land therefore their migratory routes concentrate over short sea crossings like Gibraltar, Sicily, Falsterbo(Sweden), Greece, Bosphorus(Turkey) and Malta. It likes eating Honey, wasps, bees, ants and other insects.
Status:
Common Autumn migrant in September till October and in Spring April till May. Mainly seen in the afternoon in flocks and occasionally roost in wooded areas and other undisturbed land. On a good day with favorable winds, numbers can reach to over 500 individuals.
When to See:
April/May and August till October.
Where to See:
During migration may be seen from anywhere. Amongst the best places in Autumn is Buskett where many Honey Buzzards are seen along with other raptors. A good place to see Honey Buzzard in Spring is Dwejra, Malta.
Photographs:
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Adult Male Honey Buzzard, Buskett |
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| Juvenile Honey Buzzard, Buskett | Juvenile Honey Buzzard, Buskett |
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Juvenile Honey Buzzard, Buskett |
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| Juvenile Honey Buzzard, Buskett | Juvenile Honey Buzzard (roosting), Buskett |
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Juvenile Honey Buzzard, Buskett |
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| Juvenile Honey Buzzard, Buskett | Adult Female Honey Buzzard, Buskett |
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Adult Male Honey Buzzard, Buskett |
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