- Pernis ptilorhynchus
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.
Distribution
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.
Habitat
Woodland.
Behaviour
It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae and nests of wasps, although it will take other small prey.