Henicopernis infuscatus
The enigmatic Black Honey Buzzard (*Henicopernis infuscatus*) is a medium-sized raptor endemic to the island of New Guinea and New Britain. Measuring 47-51 cm in length, this species is characterized by its predominantly dark, almost blackish-brown plumage, often exhibiting a subtle purplish or bluish sheen in optimal light. Distinctive field marks include its broad, rounded wings, a relatively long, slightly rounded tail which typically appears uniformly dark or with very faint bands, and st...
This raptor primarily inhabits primary and mature secondary tropical rainforests, as well as hill forests, typically from lowlands up to 1600-1800 meters in elevation.
This raptor specializes in feeding on the larvae, pupae, and adults of social insects, particularly wasps and bees, along with honey and honeycomb, occasionally supplementing its diet with small vertebrates or other insects.
The Black Honey Buzzard is a diurnal raptor, typically observed singly or in pairs soaring high above the forest canopy or perching stealthily within its depths. Its foraging strategy is highly specialized, involving keen observation from a vantage point or active searching flight to locate nests...
The Black Honey Buzzard is endemic to the island of New Guinea and the island of New Britain within the Bismarck Archipelago. On New Guinea, it is widely but sparsely distributed across both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua (West Papua, Papua provinces), inhabiting the extensive forested reg...
Least Concern
- The Black Honey Buzzard possesses highly specialized talons and a strong bill, perfectly adapted for tearing apart tough wasp and bee nests to access the nutritious larvae and honey within. - Despite its name, it is not closely related to true buzzards (*Buteo* species) but belongs to a distinc...