Photographic Guide to the Birds of Malaysia & Singapore. Morten Strange
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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
Description: immature bird (top) has white spots in plumage. Adult is a uniform black. Note wings are held straight out. plank-like, in flight.
Voice: Silent during migration.
Habits: The most common of the majestic Aquila eagles in the region and very conspicuous in the air. Usually found in open country near wetlands, especially in large marshy areas and grasslands behind the coast. Perches in large trees and flies out to feed on all kinds of vertebrate prey; also scavenges. Much reduced in numbers worldwide and now vulnerable to global extinction.
STEPPE EAGLE
Aquila nipalensis 81 cm F; Accipitridae
Description: A magnificent large eagle with uniformly dark brown plumage. Immature (photo) bird is light brown with a diagnostic broad white band in wings when held out straight from body (typical for Aquila eagles).
Voice: Silent during migration.
Habits: Immature birds roam widely and are seen in this region occasionally. Frequents open country, feeding mostly on small mammals. During migration immature birds often feed on carrion.
PHILIPPINE EAGLE
Pithecophaga jefferyi 92 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Unmistakable. Huge eagle with pale appearance. A monotypic genus.
Voice: No information.
Habits: A forest specialist occurring in primary montane rainforest, from the foothills to 2,000 metres. Sometimes found in the lowlands or seen soaring along forest edges. Mostly moves inside or below the canopies hunting for tree-dwelling prey such as monkeys, civet cats, squirrels, bats, flying lemurs and large birds and reptiles. The species has been extensively studied, but is now very rare due to habitat clearance and hunting. Less than 200 individuals believed to survive in the wild.
RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE
Hieraaetus kienerii 51 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Note diagnostic rufous underparts contrasting with white chest and throat
Voice: A high-pitched scream, preceded by preliminary notes.
Habits: Found in primary and mature secondary lowland and submontane rainforest. Soars in low circles over the trees. An elegant flyer, swooping like a falcon through the air to catch birds and small mammals. Little studied and generally an uncommon species.
CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE
Spizaetus cirrhatus 68 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Plumage variable; photo shows pale morph. Subspecies from India has longer crest than Southeast Asian birds. Dark morph has uniformly dark brown plumage.
Voice: A series of ascending shrill screams hwee-hwee-hweeee.
Habits: A low-density forest species occurring in the lowlands, but also found at submontane elevations; in Thailand up to 2,000 metres. Prefers primary forest and closed secondary growth, but also strays into nearby disturbed areas. Sometimes soars over trees like the more common Crested Serpent-eagle. Can be recognised by its longer call,.size and lack of wing-bars.
MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE
Spizaetus nipalensis 66 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: A large hawk-eagle. Note banded underparts and very broad wings.
Voice: Three shrill notes, tlueet-weet-weet.
Habits: Restricted to forests at montane and lower montane elevations, from 600 to 4,000 metres; also found in foothills at lower elevations, outside of breeding season. Best seen late in the morning, soaring high over the forest. Will hunt mammals and large birds from a perch at forest's edge.
BLYTH'S HAWK-EAGLE
Spizaetus alboniger 52 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Note slaty-black plumage with barred underparts and tail; long crest visible at rest.
Voice: Various shrill whistles and high-pitched notes.
Habits: A lower montane rainforest specialist found from the foothills to 1,700 metres, usually between 600 and 1,200 metres. Seen circling low over the forest or sitting on a concealed perch just below canopy level, on the lookout for prey such as squirrels, birds and reptiles.
COLLARED FALCONET
Microhierax caerulescens 19 cm F: Falconidae
Description: Note full white neck; only falconet within its range.
Voice: No information.
Habits: Occurs in forest and along forest edges,