Crested Honey Buzzard

Crested Honey Buzzard (Dark morph)
Crested Honey Buzzard
Crested Honey Buzzard (Aberrant plumage, possibly a hybrid)
Crested Honey Buzzard (Dark morph)
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Pernis ptilorhynchus
Arabic Name 
عقاب العسل المقنزعة
Kuwaiti name 
عقاب , بوحقب
Family 
Kites - Hawks - Eagles
Width 
160.0 cm
Length 
65.0 cm
Least Concern
Kuwait Specialty
Similar species 
European Honey Buzzard

In Kuwait

Winter
Migrant
Rare
Non-breeder

Information

Scarce autumn and spring passage migrant, and very rarely seen in winter. This species originates from Eastern Asia and like its European counterpart it is a specialized raptor feeding mainly on wasps and bees.
Where in Kuwait 
On passage, sometimes singly or with mixed flocks of Steppe and Honey Buzzards, but these kettles of migrating raptors are impacted by local weather conditions and are difficult to predict - but the best time is generally during the month of September.
In the world 
It breeds in Asia from central Siberia east to Japan. It is a summer migrant to Siberia, wintering in tropical south east Asia.It is larger and longer winged than its western counterpart, the European Honey Buzzard.
Local threats 
Indiscriminate shooting.