Crested Honey Buzzard: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Hawks and Falcons · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. This raptor lives mainly on baby bees and wasps. It also gulps down bits of honeycomb and honey.
2. In Japan it digs up wasp nests hidden underground with its talons. A groove in its tongue helps it pull the grubs out of their cells.
3. Angry wasps aim for its head and neck. There, a thick mat of short, stiff feathers works like armour and catches most of the stings.
4. Flying from Japan to Southeast Asia, these birds cross 700 km of the East China Sea without stopping, helped by autumn winds at their backs.
5. Young honey buzzards look like hawk-eagles, which have stronger beaks and talons. This lookalike disguise may help keep bigger raptors away.

The quiz

1. What does the crested honey buzzard mainly eat?

• Rabbits
• Fish
• Larvae of bees and wasps (correct)
• Seeds

It lives mainly on bee and wasp larvae, plus bits of comb and honey.

2. What helps the honey buzzard pull grubs out of the comb?

• A groove in its tongue (correct)
• Its long tail
• Sticky feet
• A hollow claw

Its tongue has a special groove for pulling out larvae.

3. How do its head and neck feathers protect it from wasps?

• They are long and soft
• They fall out when stung
• They glow in the dark
• They form a dense mat that catches stings (correct)

Most stings got stuck in the dense mat of short feathers.

4. What helps honey buzzards fly 700 km nonstop over the East China Sea?

• Resting on ships
• Autumn winds blowing their way (correct)
• Riding on other birds
• Swimming part of the way

In autumn, winds over the sea blow the same way the birds are flying.

5. Which birds do young crested honey buzzards look like?

• Parrots
• Owls
• Hawk-eagles (correct)
• Herons

Their plumage resembles that of Nisaetus hawk-eagles, which may protect them.

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