Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Pale morph/Crestless)? Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (1 Viewer)

[dixonlau]

Location: Lowland secondary forest, river nearby, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Date: Oct & Nov 2022

I've got one most recent bird (Bird #1) of Changeable Hawk-Eagle but I can't be sure if it is Pale or Dark morph or there is even a Crestless type? Similar location few days ago, I've got a Pale Morph (immature) Bird #2 and Dark Morph Bird #3, these two I am able to ID.

Bird #1 so much different compare to Bird #2. Or perhaps it is more mature adult of Pale Morph?

It is my first time seeing this raptor. Would like to get the ID right. Thanks for any help.


Bird #1 - NOT SURE OF THIS



Bird #2 - Pale Morph immature



Bird #3 - Dark Morph

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Location: Lowland secondary forest, river nearby, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Date: Oct & Nov 2022

I've got one most recent bird (Bird #1) of Changeable Hawk-Eagle but I can't be sure if it is Pale or Dark morph or there is even a Crestless type? Similar location few days ago, I've got a Pale Morph (immature) Bird #2 and Dark Morph Bird #3, these two I am able to ID.

Bird #1 so much different compare to Bird #2. Or perhaps it is more mature adult of Pale Morph?

It is my first time seeing this raptor. Would like to get the ID right. Thanks for any help.

Difficult to be absolutely certain, but looks as though it might be an intermediate morph, the lower underparts look too uniformly dark. Would need a better view of the underparts to confirm. The taxon that occurs in Borneo, limnaeetus, lacks a crest.

Grahame

 

[dixonlau]

Difficult to be absolutely certain, but looks as though it might be an intermediate morph, the lower underparts look too uniformly dark. Would need a better view of the underparts to confirm. The taxon that occurs in Borneo, limnaeetus, lacks a crest.

Grahame

Thank you very much Grahame. It is unfortunate only these angle (body side view) I've got before it flew off. Good point for the crest.

I had taken a closer look of the underparts with enhanced brightness in full size (ignore the bluish color due to in-post artifacts). There are few whites on it. Not sure if that could help.

May I know the "intermediate morph" you've mentioned means it is in mid of morphing or it is another terms for another type?

Also I noticed its right eye pupil looks little odd. It is normal if not due to angle effect? Not for the ID purpose, just interested to know if you have any idea of it.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

May I know the "intermediate morph" you've mentioned means it is in mid of morphing or it is another terms for another type?

There are three recognised morphs; pale, intermediate and dark. The streaked white underparts are not extensive enough for pale which also shows white-barred thighs. Therefore, looks good for intermediate IMO.

Grahame.

 

[dixonlau]

There are three recognised morphs; pale, intermediate and dark. The streaked white underparts are not extensive enough for pale which also shows white-barred thighs. Therefore, looks good for intermediate IMO.

Grahame.

Thank you again, that is valuable points.

 

[horukuru]

All were the Changeable Hawk-Eagle

 

[Butty]

May I know the "intermediate morph" you've mentioned means it is in mid of morphing or it is another terms for another type?

A morph is a colour-type. An individual bird stays the same morph throughout its life - though within one morph there may be some changes related to age.