x

It's scientific name is Pernis apivorus. It is 52cm to 60cm and its wingspan is 135cm to 150cm. It weighs 600g to 1.1kg Although the European honey-buzzard is monotypic, it is also polymorphic, in that it has a wide variety of plumage patternation and colours and is not actually a true buzzard at all. The changes in plumage and appearance can vary with the bird’s age and sex as well as the season, although in general the underparts are barred and spotted, sometimes described as ‘tiger striped’ and in the adult male can vary from white to pale grey to brown. The head of the bird is relatively small compared to the rest of the body with a long neck and tail. The head of the adult male is predominantly grey, almost whitish on a juvenile, whilst that of the adult female is usually a darker brown colour. The upper and lower tail of adult birds is banded with three dark brown or blackish stripes, with that on the trailing edge being bolder and wider. Usually, the upper parts on adults are more of a mid brown hue with dark tipped primary and secondary flight feathers with the underparts and underwing areas being paler but with contrasting dark brown stripes and dark brown or black carpal patches. In flight, careful observation will reveal that the wings are angled towards the rear on the leading edge from the alula (bastard wing) to the tip of the primaries. The bill is small and slender, coloured black or dark grey with some pale yellow and the iris is a strikingly bold yellow in colour. The legs of both sexes are also yellow.8964 copyright protection190ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqq4pcnN2M 維尼

15.158.61.18