[tomreynolds]

I took this photo on Gunung Raya on Langkawi Island Malaysia on 31 Oct 2007. What is it please?

Tom

[firstreesjohn]

I see the problem. Have just gone back & forward thru 'Raptors of the World' and Craig Robson, to no definite conclusion.

Will be interested in what birders more expert in oriental raptors say.

Good luck, J.

[Dr Manjeet Singh]

Tom i may be wrong..it look's like a Crested Goshawk (juvenile) to me..waiting for the experts to say what they think it is.Regards.

[IanF]

I think the Doc is quite right - here's the Opus one to compare - Crested Goshawk

[tomreynolds]

Many thanks for the replies so far. I have two more photos.
Tom

[Dr Manjeet Singh]

Well Tom i still think it is a Creasted Goshawk...even the flight feathered marking confirm it..Regards.

[viator]

Tom's bird got me to check this one I took on the summit of Gunung Raya in Feb 2008. At the time convinced my self it was a Japanese Sparrowhawk.

Any thoughts in comparison to Tom's bird?

Thanks
Mike

[Mark Harper]

The original bird looks like a Grey-faced Buzzard to me. See the photo in Opus

http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey-faced_Buzzard

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by Mark Harper

The original bird looks like a Grey-faced Buzzard to me. See the photo in Opus

http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey-faced_Buzzard

I agree, the first bird for me is a Grey-faced Buzzard - an interesting species I've personally had many confusing experiences with on migration. Observers often can't tell whether it's a buteo or accipiter coming along.
Some nice images here - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

Compare the wing shape with Crested - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

Mark

[rockfowl]

Mikes image IMO looks better for a Crested Goshawk, large headed, strong gular markings, underpart pattern wrong for Japanese Spa.

Compare - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

with - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

M

Ignore it, see below

[CAU]

I'm not an expert on Asian raptors, but to me also Mike's bird looks like a Grey-faced Buzzard:
-it has a white supercilium behind the eye, which all the Crested Goshawks on Orientalbirdimages lack
-the eye looks proportionally much smaller than on the Crested Goshawks
-the breast is finely patterned, while the Crested Goshawks have broad stripes

[rockfowl]

Cau's right,

Should have looked and enlarged the image! Look at the primary length of Mike's bird, the primary tip visible almost reaching the end of the tail, Crested Goshawk being much shorter winged...Doh!
Strange angle on the shot making it larger headed, I missed the super!

One thing I've noticed, not sure how consistent but certainly, IMO showing on the images we referenced here is the shape/pattern of the black on the beak of Crested seeming to reach for the nostril? - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

Nice one Cau