Pern, Common pern
The European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus ), also known as the pern or common pern, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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Soaring birdsSoaring birds can maintain flight without wing flapping, using rising air currents. Many gliding birds are able to "lock" their extended wings by m...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withThe European honey buzzard is a bird of prey that soars on flat wings. It has a longer tail, usually with two narrow dark bars and a broad dark subterminal bar. The sexes can be distinguished by 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.
European honey buzzards are summer migrants to a relatively small area in the western Palearctic from most of Europe to as far east as southwestern Siberia. They migrate to tropical Africa for European winters. These birds inhabit a wide range of habitats, but generally prefer woodland, and exotic plantations and also occur in meadows, wooded savannah, and small wetlands.
European honey buzzards are generally solitary but congregate in large flocks during migration. These birds forage by day spending large amounts of time on the forest floor excavating wasp nests. They are sometimes seen soaring in thermals. When flying in wooded vegetation, honey buzzards usually fly quite low and perch in mid-canopy, holding the body relatively horizontal with its tail drooping. They also hop from branch to branch, each time flapping their wings once, and so emitting a loud clap. European honey buzzards often appear restless with much ruffling of the wings and shifting around on their perch. They often inspect possible locations of food from their perch, cocking their heads this way to get a good look at possible food locations. The common call of European honey buzzards is a clear ‘peee-lu’ and they also utter a melodious ‘whee-oo’ or trisyllabic ‘whi-whee-oo’.
European honey buzzards are carnivores, mainly insectivores and they are specialist feeders on the larvae and nests of wasps and hornets. However, they will also take small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
European honey buzzards are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. Their breeding season takes place between May and September depending on location. During this time the males are fiercely territorial. Both adults build their nest and locate it very high in a tree. The female then lays 1 to 3 eggs and both parents take turns in incubation that lasts for about 30 to 35 days. The chicks hatch altricial (helpless) and remain in the nest for 33-45 days. They are fed by both parents. At 40 days of age, the chicks start climbing on nearby branches, but they are still provided into the nest. They become independent at about 55 days of age but remain in their natal woodland for about 20 to 30 days more. After that, they start their migration to Africa. Young European honey buzzards become reproductively mature and are able to breed when they are 2 to 3 years old.
The main threats to the European honey buzzards include hunting for sort, consumption and medicinal properties, habitat loss, pesticide poisoning, collisions with vehicles, and electrocution.
According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the European honey buzzard is 290,000-430,000 mature individuals. In Europe, the breeding population consists of 120,000-175,000 breeding pairs, which equates to 241,000-350,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.