“I have a respect for raptors as elegant fliers and often take time off to watch them catch the thermal spirals late morning to hunt.
“Was watching these two Crested Serpent-eagles (Spilornis cheela) climb upwards, circling each other, when suddenly one crashed into the other (above). The bird that made the ‘mistake’ looked a bit different, having a slightly lighter plumage (top bird in left panel and bottom bird in right panel). Either an in experienced youngster or it was so busy watching me take images (despite the height) that it did not watch where it was going.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
(Village at fringe of primary jungle)
14th November 2012
Tou Jing Yi
Extra care is now needed while watching Crested Serpent Eagles in Peninsular Malaysia, the migratory race, presumed “burmanicus” is now known to migrate into the Malay Peninsular through Thailand, and other than age, race differences will be something that we would probably want to watch out. From counts at Chumphon this year, the migratory CSE is probably pretty regular with a few of them migrating through almost daily, along with some Brahminy Kite but the later may have no subspecific differences with the local Brahminy Kites.