[3] As expected from its short tarsus, narrow bill and square-cut tail,[5] three indicators of foraging strategy, P. steerei is either seen perched upright on large branches or soaring.

Originally considered a subspecies of Pernis celebensis,[3][4] the Philippine honey-buzzard was recently recognised as its own species in light of mitochondrial DNA evidence[6] showing 3.3% genetic distance[7] between the two birds.

[9] Individuals are typically seen in lowland primary or secondary rainforests from 90 to 1550 meter above sea level,[3] favouring areas of high tree cover in which they can soar above the canopy;[5] as these forests continue to undergo extensive logging, the species faces severe habitat loss.

The two subspecies are sedentary[4] and geographically isolated,[3] with winkleri observed in the northern islands (mainly Luzon, but also Polillo, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Sibuyan and Romblon) and steerei further south in Samar, Negros, Siargao, Mindanao, Basilan, Leyte, Tablas, Bohol, Tawitawi, Dinagat, Masbate and Panay.

As typical of a honey-buzzard, the diet of P. steerei mainly consists of wasp and bee larvae (or potentially pupae and adults[4]), with regular additions of small nestlings, lizards and perhaps frogs.

[5] They hunt by soaring or sitting, perched on a large branch, waiting for prey; sister species P. celebensis is known to follow and catch hymenopterans in flight.

The motion, characteristic of genus Pernis, held the honey-buzzard in the air for a short time, after which it would dive down sharply, wings kept close to its body, and repeat the entire maneuver twice more before returning to normal flight.