Pernis apivorus

More closely related to kites than buzzards, honey buzzards come in a variety of plumages and are attracted to wasps’ nests where they find their major food source; larvae and pupae. They are uncommon summer visitors to southern Africa and are still considered a “rare” bird sighting, despite the increase of records in recent years. Although easily confused with steppe buzzards, looking for their tell-tale head shape (small head & beak) and tail pattern, can make identification much simplerI first recorded this small-headed buzzard with Skye Hartog in January 2011 while driving the 60 kilometre tourist route at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in southern Gauteng. I had to wait for another 3 years before I was able to get a decent photograph of this awesome looking bird of prey at Bonamanzi Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu Natal.