The Oriental Honey-buzzard is a common and widespread breeding resident in our area. It is not a true buzzard and is most closely related to the kites. Although it will eat amphibians and nestling birds, it lives mainly on the grubs of wasps and bees. These it extracts from the hanging nests or breaks pieces from the comb to eat elsewhere. The tongue has a special grove in it for extracting the grubs but it also consumes a certain amount of wax and perhaps honey in the process. It is protected by very dense short feathers on its face (which contribute to its small-headed appearance) and seems to be oblivious to bees or wasps crawling all over its plumage.

Its feeding habits mean that it spends a lot of time sitting around looking out for the flight lines of bees and wasps. When it is intent on this, and when actually feeding, it can be quite confiding, although inconspicuous and thus easily overlooked. In addition, it soars less frequently than other large raptors and even in the breeding season its aerial manoeuvres are limited. But it is one of the most widespread breeding raptors in our region and occurs wherever there are clumps or groves of trees. Its only requirement seems to be that there is sufficient bee and wasp nests – the large external combs of Rock Bees are particularly favoured. Flowering trees, including the eucalyptus which attracts bees collecting nectar and pollen are most often frequented. Many agricultural areas have a high density and the species occurs in good numbers in the parks and grounds of large institutions