Pernis (bird)
| Pernis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Honey buzzard | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Pernis Cuvier, 1816 |
| species | |
|
P. apivorus | |
Pernis is a genus of birds in the raptor subfamily Perninae. It consists of three medium-sized broad-winged species.
- European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
- Crested honey buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus
- Barred honey buzzard, Pernis celebensis
Birdlife International recognises an additional fourth species the Philippine honey-buzzard Pernis steerei ,normally considered a subspecies of Pernis celebensis and lists it as Least Concern[1]
They breed in temperate and warmer climates of the Old World, and are specialist feeders on wasp larvae. The two temperate species, the European and crested honey buzzards, are migratory.
They breed in woodland, and are often inconspicuous except when displaying.
The members of this genus have plumage which mimics that of juvenile common buzzards or of Spizaetus hawk-eagles. It has been suggested that the similarity has arisen as a partial protection against predation by larger raptors such as goshawks, which may be wary about attacking what appears to be a better-protected species with stronger bill and talons than the honey buzzards actually possess.
References
- British Birds, volume 99, March 2006
- Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead and Burton Raptors of the World ISBN 0-7136-8026-1
- Gensbøl, Benny (1989). Collins guide to the Birds of Prey of Britain and Europe North Africa and the Middle East, William Collins Sons and Co Ltd. ISBN 0-00-219176-8
Notes
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