Bird Guide

Crested Honey Buzzard vs Snail Kite

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
Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)

Snail Kite

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Large367 gWetland

Snail kites are 36 to 48 cm (14 to 19 in) long with a 99–120 cm (39–47 in) wingspan. They weigh from 300 to 570 g (11 to 20 oz). There is very limited sexual dimorphism, with the female averaging only 3% larger than the male. They have long, broad, and rounded wings, which measure 29–33 cm (11–13 in) each. Its tail is long, at 16–21 cm (6.3–8.3 in), with a white rump and undertail coverts. The dark, deeply hooked beak, measuring 2.9–4 cm (1.1–1.6 in) is an adaptation to its diet. The tarsus is relatively long as well, measuring 3.6–5.7 cm (1.4–2.2 in).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: filipeprates · CC BY 4.0

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