 Insects are taken exclusively by around 12 species, in great numbers by 44 additional species, and opportunistically by a great many others.The diet of the honey-buzzards includes not only the adults and young of social insects such as wasps and bees, but the honey and combs from their nests.The snail kite ("Rostrhamus sociabilis"), slender-billed kite ("Helicolestes hamatus") and hook-billed kites ("Chondrohierax uncinatus") are specialists in consuming snails, which usually constitute 50-95% of their diet.