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 aware of human presence. It actually turned away when it saw us.

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos 

It was actually 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 for 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 Warber 

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 !