Bird of prey (Baza?) from Sabah/Borneo, April 2025 (1 Viewer)

[michael-ibk]

Hi, the Far East is a new birding area for me and some I just can't figure out from the books and ebird photos. Is this a Jerdon's Baza, a Wallace's Hawk-Eagle or something else? Taken on the way to Deramakot in a palm plantation area. Thanks in advance.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Hi, the Far East is a new birding area for me and some I just can't figure out from the books and ebird photos. Is this a Jerdon's Baza, a Wallace's Hawk-Eagle or something else? Taken on the way to Deramakot in a palm plantation area. Thanks in advance.

Its a Jerdon's Baza Michael. Note in particular, buff-barred underwing coverts, different pattern to body and unfeathered legs (right tarsi is visible), while structure-wise a different wingshape (often described as paddle-shaped), in particular, longer 'hand' with 6 long fingers; at rest is shows a long pp. Wallace's Hawk-eagle has more uniform underwing coverts, feathered tarsi and a shorter, more rounded, wing with 7 fingers; at rest it shows a very short pp.

Grahame

 

[michael-ibk]

Thanks so much Grahame!