Wintering Raptors in Peninsular Malaysia - December 2019

Aside from waders, birds of prey are perhaps one of the most watched birds among birders. There are close to 26 species of migratory raptors that have been reliably recorded in Malaysia (Suara Enggang, Vol.19, 2011). Three most encountered raptor species over here are Oriental Honey Buzzard (almost 93%), Black Baza and Chinese Goshawk (Suara Enggang, Vol. 19, 2011). Peninsular Malaysia is an important transit point for migrant birds including raptors. Many migrating raptors passed through Peninsular Malaysia but some do winter here as well. There are three common migration routes used by these raptors (Suara Enggang, Vol.19, 2011) as do by some other migrating birds:

i) Eastern Inland Corridor - an overland route which starts from northern China snaking down through Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.

ii) Coastal Pacific Corridor - a coastal route starting from east China, passing thru Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.

iii) Oceanic Pacific Corridor - a route which uses the oceanic waterway from Japan, Taiwan, Philippine and Borneo.

All the above migration routes are part of a major route named East-Asian Australasian Flyway.

I was fortunate to come across a few wintering raptors recently. Most of them are OHBs and all of them were spotted in Kedah, a state in Northern Peninsular Malaysia. The most striking feature of raptors is in the variability of their plumage when view from below and their identification depends very well on our knowledge of their morphological and plumage characteristics. 

The above Oriental Honey Buzzard (OHB) is most likely an adult male orientalis showing dark eye, grey head and thick trailing edge on the wings. This OHB has only eight tail feathers and they were enough to take it across several continents to reach here. According to Robert DeCandido et al (2015), adults OHB usually migrate first before the juveniles which fly in from October onwards. I believe this OHB will stay around until March next year. By then, its feathers will probably molted well enough to prepare it for the long journey home. 

The OHB below has a gorget which almost covering its entire neck and face. 

Apparently there are three general plumage that can be observed on OHBs:

              i) Intermediate morph

                          ii) Light morph / rufous morph

iii) Dark morph

I think the above OHB could be an adult female orientalis from the intermediate morph showing partially grey head with light sub-terminal band. Note that this OHB has only 5 'fingers' as compared to the usual 6 'fingers'.

The above OHB should be an adult male orientalis from the dark morph. Aside from having dark eyes, male OHB shows dark primary tips and has boldly barred tail.

Watching raptors alone can be tiring. They can come from different directions - front, back, top, left and right. In one second they can be over the tree tops or beyond your eye sight. So your head will need to be constantly rotated 360 degrees. The OHB below appeared silently from my back.

I have some difficulty identifying the morph of the OHB below.

Could it be an immature "Western Honey Buzzard" or perhaps a sub-adult from the ruficollis race?

Note: it has 6 'fingers' instead

Aside from OHB, Black Baza had also 'subscribed' Peninsular Malaysia as their stop-over location. Apparently during the autumn migration, Black Baza is reported to migrate later than OHB. Hence they are most likely to be the last to depart as well (during spring migration).

Black Baza is the best dressed raptor in this world to me.

Generally the best moments to watch raptors are in the early mornings or late evenings. In between those times, here are a few conditions which can enhance your chances of watching them (based on my personal experience):

i) the sky should have some clouds and not just pure blue skies.

ii) some steady breeze should be present.

iii) when you can see some swifts / bee-eaters up in the sky.

Female Japanese Sparrowhawk

OHB and Japanese Sparrowhawks are reported to depart earlier than other raptors during the spring migration. The theory explaining this phenomenon was that they breed further up the equator and they need a head start to reach their breeding site in time for the breeding season. Female Sparrowhawks tends to fly higher than male but the above accipiter was seen just above the oil palm trees. Most likely it was just coming out from its overnight roosting area and was preparing to soar higher. 

I have read somewhere which says that some Crested Serpent Eagle are migratory raptors as well. 

Science without humanity is like a car without its accessories and tires !

HAVE A GREAT NEW DECADE AHEAD !