Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Oriental Honey-buzzard is an Asian raptor that feeds mostly on the grubs and combs of wasps and bees. It does not normally occur in the U.S.: the only North American record is a single bird seen in Alaska's Aleutian Islands in May 2024. It is also called the Crested Honey-buzzard.

Appearance

Appearance: About 22–24 in (57–61 cm) long with a small, pigeon-like head, a long neck, and a short crest. Plumage varies a lot, from pale to very dark. Males have blue-gray heads and brown eyes; females have brown heads and yellow eyes and are slightly larger. Short, stiff, densely packed feathers on the head and neck help protect it from stings.

Look-alikes

European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorus

The Oriental Honey-buzzard shows six long 'fingers' at the wingtip, often a cinnamon underside, and no dark wrist patches under the wing.

Why they get mixed upA close relative with a very similar shape; it was ruled out when the Alaska bird was identified.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: forests
woodland edges
Range: Breeds from southern Siberia to northeastern China, Korea, and Japan, and winters in tropical Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, where other populations live year-round. In North America it is known only from one Alaska record.
Seasonal presence: Northern birds are long-distance migrants that winter in the tropics; the tropical subspecies stay in place year-round.
Migration: Birds crossing the East China Sea can fly about 435 miles (700 km) nonstop, helped by autumn tailwinds.

Behavior

Diet: Mainly the larvae of social wasps and bees, plus comb and honey. It also eats cicadas and sometimes small birds, reptiles, and frogs.

Life cycle

Nest: A platform of sticks 16–31 in (40–80 cm) across, lined with leaves, in woodland trees.
Clutch size: Usually 2 eggs
Incubation: 4–5 weeks
Fledging: 5–6 weeks