EASTERN MARSH-HARRIER
Circus spilonotus 50 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Photo shows immature bird; the underpants of immature and female birds are less streaked than other harriers. The male is pale grey with black wing coverts.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: Found in open country, especially in extensive marshes, reed beds, tall grass areas and wet fields. The most numerous harrier (genus: Circus) in the region. Flies low, hugging the contours of the terrain, flapping briefly and gliding intermittently. Dives into the grass to catch slow-moving birds and rodents.
JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK
Accipiter gularis 27 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Photo shows female bird. The male is smaller and has more rufous underparts with thin barring. The immature bird has a streaked (not barred) chest.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: Typical Accipiter raptor. Flies low with amazing agility when hunting for prey, almost exclusively small passerine birds surprised and caught in flight. Found during winter in all types of wooded habitat, from forest edges to semi-open country and around villages. Sometimes soars high, late in the morning or during migration.
BESRA
Accipiter virgatus 33 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Plumage variable with sex, age and subspecies. Photo shows female. Distinguished with great difficulty from previous species by heavier streaks on its throat.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: A forest bird found in a variety of wooded habitats, often in elevated areas up to 2,400 metres. Status somewhat uncertain as this species is very difficult to distinguish in the field from previous migratory species. Feeds on small birds caught on the wing; less often on reptiles and small mammals hunted on the ground. Its small nest is built high in a large forest tree.
CRESTED GOSHAWK
Accipiter trivirgatus 40 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Note the short, rounded wings and streaked/barred underparts; crest hardly noticeable.
Voice: A shrill, prolonged scream he-he-he-he-he.
Habits: A forest hawk found in lowland and submontane rainforest and along forest edges. Flies low to hunt for squirrels, lizards, birds and large insects. Sometimes soars on thermals over its territory, screaming loudly.
SHIKRA
Accipiter badius 32 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Male (photo) has diagnostic bluish wings and back. Female is larger with brownish upperparts.
Voice: A high-pitched kyeew near its nest, otherwise silent.
Habits: Frequents woodlands and nearby open country, often seen near plantations, roads and villages. Hunts from a perch by dashing out to catch lizards, small mammals and large insects on nearby branches or in the grass below; does not chase flying birds.
COMMON BUZZARD
Buteo buteo 55 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Note broad tail, short neck and diagnostic black spot on carpal joint (shoulder) of wing.
Voice: Usually silent during migration.
Habits: Found along forest edges and in wooded areas and open country from lowlands to montane altitudes, usually alone. Often seen soaring high. Perches on an open branch or hovers in the air to swoop down and catch prey in grass below.
BLACK EAGLE
Ictinaetus malayensis 69 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Plumage a uniform blackish colour. Unique; the only member of its genus. Distinguished from the following species by characteristic flight silhouette with wings narrowing in at the body.
Voice: Silent during migration.
Habits: A low-density species preferring the montane forest habitat, from the foothills to 2,500-metre elevations. Sometimes ventures into lowlands and forest edges. Soars low over the treetops on the lookout for prey such as birds, reptiles, frogs and small mammals. Especially adept at raiding other birds' nests and picking up roosting bats. Like other eagles, the pair engages in acrobatic display flights near their large nest built in a tall tree on a forested slope.
GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE
Aquila clanga 68 cm F: Accipitridae
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