Raptors and birds at Central Perak - Jan 2026

The paddy fields of Central Perak Region are simply amazing. They are as vast as your eyes can see. Not only it host the staple food for the majority of the folks here but it's also the winter home of some magnificent raptors especially the Marsh Harriers. I have not been to this place for more than 13 years. So when MNS organised a trip I jump straight into the wagon.

We arrived here as early as 7.30am and it was still cold at that time.

As the sun slowly appears from the horizon so did the Eastern Marsh Harriers (EMH). Majority of the raptors seen here are from this species and there were hundreds of them !

Circus spilonotos

With the help from local raptor experts and as well as from Thailand (like Dr Chaiyan and Ayuwat), I was able to identify some of the EMH seen.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotos

According to the experts, the above EMH is a juvenile.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotos

This is an adult female.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotos

This is also an adult.

How did I know the above is an adult? According to the experts, the iris of juvenile EMH are usually dark brown / black but the one here is whitish yellow.

Here's another female EMH.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotos

Most of the time they are airborne. She has got very scary eyes.

Here is the male EMH. Photo was taken from quite a distance.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotos

Male

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotos

Male

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos 

According to a local expert, this is a juvenile male.

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos 

Here is the adult one.

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos 

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos 

This adult was quite wary of human presence. It actually turned away when it saw us.

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos 

It was cruising very low in search of prey.

Adult female Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos) and adult female EMH (Circus spilonotos) are more complex and complicated to differentiate. Even some raptor experts are quite hesitant to identify some of them. 

EMH or Pied Harrier?

EMH or Pied Harrier?

EMH or Pied Harrier?

EMH or Pied Harrier?

This one according to a local expert is an adult female EMH (Circus spilonotos).

 Adult female EMH (Circus spilonotos)

EMH or Pied Harrier? This Harrier's tail appears slightly forked.

According to a local expert, this is a juvenile female EMH (Circus spilonotos)

Now we go to other raptor species.

Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis

A large and super rare migrating eagle to this part of the world and I am just one of those few lucky ones to see it up close. Lifer of course.

Greater Spotted Eagle

Clanga clanga

Another huge eagle but slightly smaller than the above Steppe Eagle. They are a frequent visitor to this area and we actually saw three of them.

Here is a combo of photos showing how it hunts its prey from a very high up position. Within seconds it was already on the ground.

Greater Spotted Eagle

Clanga clanga

Greater Spotted Eagle

Clanga clanga

Believe it or not, this is a juvenile Greater Spotted Eagle identified by experts.

We also saw two migratory Falcons high up on the electrical pylon.

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Here's another big one but its more common.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Haliaeetus leucogaster

This common paddy field raptor was hovering just above our heads.

Black-winged Kite

Elanus caeruleus

We also saw an Owl!

Spotted Wood Owl

Strix seloputo

Here are a few non-raptor species.

Lanceolated Warbler 

Locustella lanceolata

So lucky to get a shot of this skittish and migratory warbler. Just one shot and off it went inside the thick grass. Lifer.

A Black and White Munia together !

Top = White-headed Munia (Lonchura maja)

Bottom - Black-headed Munia (Lonchura atricapilla)

Fellow raptor surveyors watching a male Pied Harrier from a distance.

Mencari Senja !

A continuous flock of Egrets flying back to roost - hundreds of them.

WHAT A TRIP !

A day at the National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara) - Jan 2026

It has been a very long time since I last step into this place. About more than 20 years ago to be exact ! They have many entrances now i.e one from the Main Gate and another one from the side. There are also ample public transportation to the place cause it's just about 20 - 30 minutes from KL (depending on the traffic). 

You can also organise corporate events and birthday parties in the Zoo. Apparently you can also do night camping and fishing inside 😯 As you enter from the Main Gate the first thing you will see are an abundant of Milky Storks (Mycteria cineria)  and Painted Storks (Mycteria cineria) ! The first mammal you will see is a Giraffe (very long time ago I remember there were two). There are actually hundred of animals, birds and reptiles in this Zoo. These are just a few of them shown here.

Milky Stork 

(Mycteria cineria)

Black Headed Ibis

Threskiornis melanocephalus 

I wonder whether those seen outside from the Zoo were actual wild ones or free flying ones from here.

Scarlet Ibis

Eudocimus ruber

This Ibis is from the Americas.

Malayan Peacock Pheasant 

Polyplectron malacense 

I believe not many people can see this Pheasant in the wild.

Malayan Peacock Pheasant 

Polyplectron malacense 

This male is competing with the nearby Great Argus (Argusianus argus) or locally named as Kuang Raya on who has the loudest call. 

I believe this 'Pak Belang' (Panthera tigris tigris) is thinking that I am a sausage in its mind.

Two male bulls locking horns

Seladang / Gaur 

Bos gaurus 

Male

Seladang / Gaur 

Bos gaurus 

Female

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

Apparently there are two ssp i.e the Northern one and the Southern ones. I think this could be the Southern one which has more population.

African Striped Deer

Apparently there are a few subspecies and they are determine by the number of stripes in their body. This one has 13 stripes.

Here is one of my favourite mammals.

Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris 

'Oyen' was also seen below them and the Zoo has actually a signage for 'Oyen'. Somehow I missed seeing Cheetah and Hyena. Where are they I wonder? 😢

I love to see those local mammals which you would hardly able to see them in the wild. One of them is this Mouse Deer.

Greater Mouse Deer

Tragulus napu

Greater Mouse Deer

Tragulus napu

It would move cautiously around its enclosure and sniffing away at every corner.

Black Panther 

Panthera pardus

A mean looking fella. Sure die first before it even bites you.

This should be one of the most popular mammal here. Fruit tasting by "King Julien".

Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

"Hmm, What is this la?"

Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

"Lets try it anyway"

Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

Don't know what to say about this expression 😀

Lastly this is actually my main reason for visiting the National Zoo.

Panda Bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

They are here as a result of an intergovernmental arrangement called "Panda Diplomacy' ! I wonder what we gave them in return - free Nasi Lemak with lots of sambal?

Panda Bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

This is a male called Chen Xing.

This one is his partner named Siao Yue !

Panda Bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Look at how she sleeps - almost like some human being. 'Kiao Kar' some more 😆

Panda Bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Apparently the rubber duck is his favourite toy.

Panda Bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Munching away on his favourite bamboo shoots. Apparently the bamboo are cultivated all the way from N9 and brought over to the Zoo. Not all local bamboo plants available here are suitable for them.

Panda Bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Mr Po chilling and snacking away! I also saw a few Chinese tourists from Shenzhen enjoying the sight of this magnificent Panda.

ENJOY THE TRIP