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Despite its name, this species is not related to the true buzzards in the genus Buteo, and is closer to the kites.

It is a summer migrant to most of EuropeFor the band of the same name, see Europe (band . Europe is a continent forming the westermost part of the Eurasian supercontinent. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Se and western AsiaThe continent of Asia is defined by subtracting Europe and Africa from the great land mass of Africa-Eurasia. The boundaries are vague, especially between Asia and Europe: Asia and Africa meet somewhere near the Suez Canal. The boundary between Asia and E, wintering in tropical AfricaAfrica is the world's second-largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. 30,244,050 km2 (11,677,240 mi2) including the islands, it covers 20. 3% of the total land area on Earth, and with over 800 million human inhabitants it accounts for ar. It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae and nests of waspA wasp is any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is not a bee, sawfly, or an ant. Less familiar, the suborder Symphyta includes the sawflies and wood wasps, which differ from the Apocrita by having a broad connection between the ths, although it will take other small prey. The specific name apivorus means "bee-eater", although beeThis article is about the insect. For the character B, see B. Andrenidae Anthophoridae Apidae Colletidae Ctenoplectridae Halictidae Heterogynaidae Megachilidae Melittidae Oxaeidae Sphecidae Stenotritidae Bees Apoidea superfamily) are flying insects, closes are much less important than wasps in its diet.

The Honey Buzzard breeds in woodlandBiologically, a woodland is differentiated from a forest. In these terms, a forest has a largely-closed canopy in other words, the branches and foliage of trees interlock overhead to provide extensive and nearly continuous shade. A woodland, however, has, and is inconspicuous except in the spring, when the mating display includes wing-clapping. Breeding males are fiercely territorial.

The 52-60 cm long Honey Buzzard is larger and longer winged (with a 135-150 cm wingspan) than the Common BuzzardThe Common Buzzard Buteo buteo is a bird of prey from the Old World. Its is typically between 51-57 cm in length with a 110 to 130 cm wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor. Its range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is resident except i 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.

Unusually for a large bird of prey, the sexes can be distinguished on plumage. The male has a blue-grey head, while the female's head is brown. She is slightly larger and darker than the male.

When it migrates, the Honey Buzzard will follow the coastline if there is one close by. It uses the stars to navigate (like many other birds) and it can detect the Earth's magnetic and can use these too. It faces many problems when its on the way to Africa because of hunting, especially around the Mediterranean Sea, the weather, and the long Sahara Desert crossing.

The call is a clear peee-lu.