From Opus

Photo by Laurence Poh
Photo taken: near Ipoh, Malaysia

Pernis ptilorhynchus

[edit] Identification

The male has a blue-grey head, while the female's head is brown. She is slightly larger and darker than the male. The male has a black tail with a white band, whilst the female resembles female European Honey Buzzard.

[edit] Distribution

Siberia east to Japan.

[edit] Taxonomy

Considered conspecific with European Honey Buzzard by some authors.

Six subspecies are recognised: orientalis breeds in eastern Siberia and winters in Burma and China, ruficollis breeds in India, Burma and southern China, torquatus from Thailand to Sumatra and Borneo, nominate race in Java, palawanensis on Palawan and philippensis in the Philippines.

[edit] Habitat

Woodland.

[edit] Behaviour

It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae and nests of wasps, although it will take other small prey.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages