The oriental honey-buzzard is a long-necked bird with a small head, resembling a pigeon more than a typical raptor. Known for its love of bees and wasps, it feeds on their larvae and nests. Its tough, scale-like feathers near the beak protect it from bee stings while raiding honeycombs. Besides honeycombs, it also eats rodents, reptiles, frogs, and insects. Honey-buzzards are usually found in wooded areas, either alone or in pairs. Males have a grey face with a dark reddish iris, while females have a browner face and yellow iris.