Home › Aves › Accipitridae › Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)
Pernis
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Forests woodlands open areas
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Accipitriformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
GENUS
Pernis
📋 Description
SIZE
52-68 cm long 500-1000 g
COLORATION
Brown with variable plumage long tail narrow wings
ADAPTATIONS
Specialized tongue for bee larvae extraction soaring flight
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Forests woodlands open areas
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 1-2 eggs in tree nests incubated 28-35 days
DIET DETAILS
Bees wasps larvae insects reptiles
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss pesticide use
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Honey Raiders: Oriental Honey-buzzards soar with 750-gram bodies eating 150 grams of bee larvae daily in Rajasthan's forests. Their narrow wings aid soaring.
2
Migratory Predators: These buzzards cover 3000 sq km in Gujarat's woodlands nesting in trees. Pesticides threaten their bee prey.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Jamnagar in Gujarat
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season enhances visibility for spotting buzzards
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch oriental honey-buzzards soaring high in search of beehives
