Crested Honey Buzzards! | Batumi Raptor Count

While scanning through hundreds of thousands of European Honey Buzzards, every once in a while an especially large individual stands out. At first it might be mistaken for an eagle. A closer look reveals the familiar Honey Buzzard silhouette, but with a larger, six-fingered hand. Then the plumage seals the identification: Crested Honey Buzzard!

A Crested Honey Buzzard and a smaller European Honey Buzzard flying together for comparison. — A side-by-side comparison of Crested and European Honey Buzzards. Photo: Thijmen Stolk

Batumi is the only place in the Western Palearctic where Crested Honey Buzzards are reliably seen on migration. Many visiting birders and BRC volunteers therefore arrive hoping to encounter this scarce migrant. This year, we have been lucky enough to observe 54 so far, almost twice our average of 28.

A female Crested Honey Buzzard in flight, seen from the side. — A female Crested Honey Buzzard. Photo: Thijmen Stolk

A dark male Crested Honey Buzzard silhouetted against the sky. — A dark male Crested Honey Buzzard. Photo: Thijmen Stolk

These encounters are more than rare sightings. They also reflect the enormous area from which birds funnel towards our count stations. Among the common raptors we count, how many breed at least as far east as the Crested Honey Buzzards we see? Perhaps one day we’ll have some answers. For now, it is a fascinating question to consider as we watch the migration pass overhead.

A female Crested Honey Buzzard gliding with its wings spread. — Another female Crested Honey Buzzard passing Batumi. Photo: Thijmen Stolk

A male Crested Honey Buzzard flying across a blue sky. — A male Crested Honey Buzzard, with its characteristic dark eye. Photo: Yang Li