Philippine Honey Buzzard
PHILIPPINE HONEY BUZZARD
Pernis steeri
Family Accipitridae
L 588m (22")
uncommon resident
Bird # 356 - March 2012
This is called Barred Honeybuzzard Pernis celebensis in the Kennedy guide. The pigeon-like head and long tail of this bird are quire distinctive. The fine barring on the underside is faintly visible if you look very closely at the first two pictures. One telling feature of Honeybuzzard or Pernis are the short, weak legs.
This is what Desmond Allen said about the first four pictures: "it lacks any barring on the wing linings, flanks and belly that - adult at least - Barred HB is supposed to have, though there is some on the undertail. However it has more bars on the underwing than is normal for OHB, and it has a heavily streaked breast. The head is pigeon-like indicating Pernis sp. - also the tail pattern. It doesn't look very big judging from the wing loading. It matches photos of Barred HB that I have from Anita Gamauf so I would have to agree that it is that species. Bird 4 does seem to show the same features, too."
We initially thought the immature from Cagayan de Oro was Changeable Hawk-Eagle. Desmond Allen said of the photos: "The short, weak legs are indicative of Pernis rather than Spizaetus, and the wing barring and neck length rule out Oriental."
Read MorePernis steeri
Family Accipitridae
L 588m (22")
uncommon resident
Bird # 356 - March 2012
This is called Barred Honeybuzzard Pernis celebensis in the Kennedy guide. The pigeon-like head and long tail of this bird are quire distinctive. The fine barring on the underside is faintly visible if you look very closely at the first two pictures. One telling feature of Honeybuzzard or Pernis are the short, weak legs.
This is what Desmond Allen said about the first four pictures: "it lacks any barring on the wing linings, flanks and belly that - adult at least - Barred HB is supposed to have, though there is some on the undertail. However it has more bars on the underwing than is normal for OHB, and it has a heavily streaked breast. The head is pigeon-like indicating Pernis sp. - also the tail pattern. It doesn't look very big judging from the wing loading. It matches photos of Barred HB that I have from Anita Gamauf so I would have to agree that it is that species. Bird 4 does seem to show the same features, too."
We initially thought the immature from Cagayan de Oro was Changeable Hawk-Eagle. Desmond Allen said of the photos: "The short, weak legs are indicative of Pernis rather than Spizaetus, and the wing barring and neck length rule out Oriental."
PHILIPPINE HONEY BUZZARD Pernis steeri Pasonanca, Zamboanga, Philippines
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