Oriental Honey Buzzard

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. Pernis ptilorhynchus has 6 subspecies. The size ranges between 57-60 cm (22-24 in) which makes it a medium-sized raptor. This species is also known as the Crested, Asiatic, or Eastern honey buzzard. The name is derived from its diet which consists mainly of the larvae of bees and wasps extracted from honey combs.
Unusually for raptors, the sexes can be differentiated.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.
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. It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae and nests of wasps, although it will take other small insect prey such as cicadas.
The species has several adaptations for its specialist diet. These include an elongated head for foraging on underground nests and a groove in the tongue for feeding on honey. A mass of short, dense feathers on the head and neck protect against stinging attacks by social wasps. Juveniles may have adopted Batesian mimicry to deter predators.
Honey buzzard raiding a beehive. Unlike other large raptors, honey buzzards are insectivores, specializing on the larvae of bees and wasps. It looks like a painful way to make a living, but the birds have various adaptations that protect them from stings.
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ಜೇನುದಿನಿ, ಜೇನುಗಿಡುಗ
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#behive
#buzzard
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