Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Pernis ptilorhynchus
Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks · Status: Very common migrant and uncommon visitor · Size: 55–65 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds across China, Russia, Korea, and Japan; migrants cross the East China Sea through southeastern China and Southeast Asia to the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Also resident from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to the Philippines; the Sundaic torquatus population is sedentary across Sumatra, Borneo, and the Thai-Malay Peninsula.
Has a small pigeon-like head, long slightly rectangular wings with six primary fingers, and long tail. Very variable plumage which ranges from white to rufous to black, with streaked or barred underside; upperparts brown to dark brown. For the migratory subspecies orientalis, male has dark reddish-brown iris and two thick dark tail bands; female has yellow iris and three thinner dark tail bands. The local torquatus race has a distinctive crest.
Woodland; anywhere in Singapore including urban areas during migration.
One of the most common migrants in Singapore; often travels in large flocks. Raids bee and hornet hives for larvae, scanning from a perch before following insects to their nest.