A bird so niche it literally evolved to eat bees and live in ferns. Nature's hipster.
Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) is one of the raptors in Taiwan that specifically builds their nests in “ferns”. While other buzzards migrate between cold northern continent and warm southern islands, they prefer to propagate in Taiwan. Ninety-nine Peaks is their major habitat. With different feather colors, this species can only be distinguished from other birds by their long narrow beak and sharp claws. However, it is certain that all oriental honey buzzards love to eat pupa of bees. The Oriental Honey Buzzard of Ninety-nine Peaks is a documentary produced by Raptor Research Group of Taiwan and published by Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture Executive Yuan in 2011. This film not only was nominated in the 34th Montana International Wildlife Film Festival but also won the first –run film in the National Ecological Film Festival and the Best Animal Behavior Award at the 2011 Japanese Wildlife Film Festival.
Cinematography
Fern-nest close-ups that'll ruin your houseplant standards.
Practical Effects
Zero CGI, just patient humans waiting for birds to do bird things.
Editing
49 minutes because that's exactly how long buzzards demand respect.
Director
Lee W-J
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ninety-Nine Peaks (九九峰) is named for its resemblance to ninety-nine rising flames—local legend says a fire deity dropped embers there. The buzzards apparently didn't get the memo about dramatic backdrops.
Director Lee W-J spent three breeding seasons waiting for usable nest footage. The Forestry Bureau published this in 2011, same year Taiwan's first raptor rehabilitation center opened—timing that feels suspiciously like a funding strategy.
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