P. apivorus P. ptilorhynchus P. celebensis P. steerei Pernis is a genus of birds in the raptor subfamily Perninae.

The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek pernes περνης, a term used by Aristotle for a bird of prey.

[2] They breed in temperate and warmer climates of the Old World, and are specialist feeders on wasp and bee larvae.

It has been suggested that the similarity has arisen as a partial protection against predation by larger raptors such as goshawks, which may be wary about attacking what appears to be a better-protected species with stronger bill and talons than the honey buzzards actually possess.

Comparing sequences from a short subsection of the mitochondrial cytb gene, Gamulf and Haring found five clades: apivorus, steerei–winkleri, celebensis, philippensis–orientalis–ruficollis, and torquatus–ptilorhynchus–palawanensis.