Bird Guide

Crested Honey Buzzard vs European Honey Buzzard

Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

Crested Honey Buzzard

Pernis ptilorhynchus

Large1.1 kgWoodland

About 57–60 cm (22–24 in) in size, the crested honey buzzard is a fairly large raptor. The bird weighs 750 to 1,490 g (1.65 to 3.28 lb). The head lacks a strong superciliary ridge, giving it a facial appearance very unlike a raptor. It appears long-necked with a small head resembling that of a pigeon. It has a long tail and a short head crest. It is brown above, but not as dark as the European honey buzzard, and paler below. A dark throat stripe is present. Unusually for a large bird of prey, the sexes can be distinguished.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jairam Vijayan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ben Costamagna · CC BY 4.0
European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

European Honey Buzzard

Pernis apivorus

Large754 gForest

The 52–60-centimetre (20–24 in)-long honey buzzard is larger and longer winged, with a 135–150-centimetre (53–59 in) wingspan, when compared to the smaller common buzzard (Buteo buteo). It appears longer necked with a small head, and soars on flat wings. It has a longer tail, which has fewer bars than the Buteo buzzard, usually with two narrow dark bars and a broad dark subterminal bar. The sexes can be distinguished on plumage, which is unusual for a large bird of prey. The male has a blue-grey head, while the female's head is brown. The female is slightly larger and darker than the male.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Benoît Van Hecke · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: blondinrikard · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Crested Honey Buzzard and European Honey Buzzard.