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SERPENT-EAGLE

      Spilornis cheela 81 cm F: Accipitridae

      Description: Somewhat scaly plumage and small crest are diagnostic (left); note white wing band on flying bird (right).

      Voice: A penetrating wheew-wheew when soaring carries far. Vocal.

      Habits: Essentially a forest bird that seems to prefer mature secondary growth along forest edges and clearings. Sits motionless on a mid-storey branch watching for prey, mostly tree snakes, but also some small mammals and birds. Often soars high over the forest on late morning thermals.

      PHILIPPINE SERPENT-EAGLE

      Spilornis holospilus 56 cm F: Accipitridae

      Description: Unmistakable within its range. Recently accepted as a full species. Distinguished from previous species by more well-defined spots on underparts and wings.

      Voice: Similar to previous species.

      Habits: Occurs in forest and along forest edges, often seen in clearings and river valleys. Tolerant of environmental disturbance and often seen soaring over nearby open areas. Feeds on amphibians, reptiles and other live prey. Otherwise little studied and its nest has not yet been described.

      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.

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