- Pernis ptilorhyncus
Shot near Ipoh, Malaysia
Identification
Oriental Honey Buzzard (Eastern or Crested Honey Buzzard) Pernis ptilorhynchus (considered conspecific with Western Honey-Buzzard by some authors)
The Oriental Honey Buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. This species is also known as Oriental Honey-buzzard and Crested Honey Buzzard. It appears long-necked with a small head, and soars on flat wings. It has a long tail and a short head crest. It is brown above, but not as dark as Honey Buzzard, and paler below. There is a dark throat stripe.
Unusually for a large bird of prey, the sexes can be distinguished. 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 Honey Buzzard.
Distribution
It breeds in Asia from central Siberia east to Japan. It is a summer migrant to Siberia, wintering in tropical south east Asia. Elsewhere it is more-or-less resident. Breeds in eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, Sakhalin, China, Korea and Japan. Also breeds from north-west India to Burma and southern China and south to the Philippines, Borneo, Sumatra and Java.
Taxonomy
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
The Oriental Honey Buzzard breeds in woodland
Behaviour
It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae and nests of wasps, although it will take other small prey. It is inconspicuous except in the spring, when the mating display includes wing-clapping. It is larger and longer winged than its western counterpart, Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus.
