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Glite Dictionary
Pernis apivorus

Pernis apivorus

9.9
A hawk that eats young wasps and bees
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Pernis apivorus
  • The diet of Pernis apivorus primarily consists of wasp larvae and other insects.

Examples

  • Researchers tracked the migration routes of Pernis apivorus across Europe and Africa.

  • The Pernis apivorus is often mistaken for the common buzzard due to its similar appearance.

  • Look! A Pernis apivorus!

  • What is a Pernis apivorus?

  • The Pernis apivorus can be found in woodlands where it searches for bee larvae.

  • During the summer, the Pernis apivorus often scours fields for small rodents to eat.

  • Birdwatchers are excited when they spot a Pernis apivorus soaring high in the sky.

Synonyms

honey buzzard
vsPernis apivorus
9.0

A large hunting bird that eats young bees and small animals like mice and lizards

is the formal scientific name for the same species rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Pernis apivorus singular
Pernis apivorus plural

Morphology

Pernis + apivorus

This is a Latin taxonomic binomial rather than a compositional English phrase: the genus name 'Pernis' and the Latin-derived specific epithet 'apivorus' are not transparent English words and 'apivorus' is not listed as an English lexical item here. Even if the Latin roots could be analyzed by specialists (api- = bee, -vorus = eating), that morphological knowledge is unlikely for an average B1 learner, so the overall meaning cannot be derived from the given constituents.

Etymology

Pernis apivorus comes from old Latin words: the second part apivorus mixes api- ('bee') and -vorus ('to eat'). Because this hawk searches nests for baby bees and wasps, the name literally means 'bee-eater', which is why the bird has that name today.