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Oriental Honey-buzzard attacking bees’ nest

on 12th February 2014

In the heartland of Singapore’s Tiong Bahru district, Rosemary Tan observed an Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus) landing on the crown of a Yellow Penda tree (Xanthostemon chrysanthus). This is a popular roadside tree with attractive yellow flowers originating from Australia LINK

On closer look she realised that the bird was attacking a honeybees’ nest.

This honey-buzzard is a specialist feeder, feeding on the larvae of bees LINK and wasps LINK. They thus regularly attack such nests to feed on the larvae and also bits of the honeycomb.

Rosemary Tan
Singapore
January 2014

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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