The wasp, considered to have disappeared, was found in several districts of Moscow

The press service of Mospriroda reported that an extremely rare bird - an ordinary wasp–eater was recorded in five natural territories of the capital at once. This feathered predator belongs to the Hawk family. It is listed in the Red Book of Moscow under the zero category of rarity.

Young individuals of this bird were seen in the natural-historical parks "Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo", "Moskvoretsky", the complex reserve "Zelenogradsky", the natural reserve "Valley of the Setun River" and the forest park "Kuskovo". From 2020 to 2022, specialists recorded the wasp only in the Kuzminki-Lyublino Nature and Historical Park.

The wasp eater leads a secretive lifestyle and prefers to settle where dense green areas alternate with open areas. His favorite treat is wasp larvae. In the diet of the wasp there are also bees, bumblebees, hornets, worms, frogs, lizards and rodents.

This bird of prey has a small head with an elongated beak designed to prey on small insects. The eyes are protected by feathers that look like scales. The plumage of the body is rigid and dense, so the stings of the wasps cannot penetrate under the cover of the bird. Strong legs with yellow paws and rounded black claws on the fingers are designed for digging wasps' nests.