The Philippine honey buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to forested lowlands of the Philippines, with the exception of Palawan.
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Endemic to the Philippines, where it inhabits lowland and foothill forests on most major islands, with the notable exception of Palawan. It favors primary and well-structured secondary forest, but may use forest edges, clearings, and agroforestry mosaics where nest-raiding opportunities are present. The species is typically secretive in dense canopy yet will soar above the forest when thermals form. It is sensitive to extensive deforestation but can persist where sizable forest blocks remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Steere’s honey-buzzard, this raptor specializes in raiding the nests of bees and wasps, using its scaled legs and dense facial feathers as protection from stings. It often tears open combs to reach larvae and pupae, and will supplement its diet with other insects, small vertebrates, and occasional fruit. It is secretive in forest interiors but can be seen soaring over clearings and edges.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with slow, elastic wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically encountered alone or in pairs during the breeding season. It nests high in tall trees, building a stick platform where it lays 1–2 eggs; both parents share incubation and chick-rearing. Territorial near the nest, but otherwise unobtrusive within the forest interior.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Usually quiet, but gives thin, high-pitched whistles and mewing calls, especially near the nest. Vocalizations are brief and carry through the canopy, often heard before the bird is seen.
Plumage
Medium-sized, long-tailed raptor with a small, pigeon-like head and a slight crest. Upperparts are brown to dark brown; underparts vary from buffy to rufous with fine barring or streaking. The tail shows bold dark bands, and the head often looks slightly paler with a subtle mask.
Diet
Specializes on the larvae and pupae of social Hymenoptera, particularly bees and wasps, which it obtains by ripping open nests. It also takes adult insects, and occasionally small reptiles, amphibians, and nestling birds. Some individuals consume bits of honey or wax and may opportunistically eat fruit.
Preferred Environment
Forages in forest interiors, along edges, and in semi-open areas where wasp and bee nests are concentrated. It often searches from perches or by slow soaring, then descends to raid nests on branches, trunks, or the ground.
