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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Pernis apivorus
European honey buzzard (male, dark morph). Greek: σφηκιάρης (αρσενικός, σκωτεινή μορφή). Apolakia, September 2003.
Passage migrant, uncommon. Length 50-60 cm, wingspan 135-150 cm. Male brown with blue-grey head, female generally darker with brown head. Forests, field edges, farmland. Feeds mostly on larvae and nests of wasps and hornets, also takes small rodents, lizards and birds. Perches low in trees or on bushes to inspect surroundings for location of wasp nests. Excavates nests by digging and raking with talons. Powerful slow flight, soars on flat wings.
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