Default Pale Morphed Changeable Hawk-Eagle

wkcheah76 · 3rd August 2005

(Spizaetus cirrhatus) - Described by: Gmelin (1788)
Alternate common name(s): Crested Hawk-eagle, Sunda Hawk-eagle

Changeable Hawk Eagle is a medium-large raptor at about 60-72cm in length. As its name implies, the plumage is very variable, and the existence of a number of subspecies further complicates identification. Most subspecies have a crest of four feathers, but this is reduced in some races, and is absent in some island forms.

On the continent of Asia occur the Spizaetus cirrhatus linnaetus. South-east to Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines. There are two phases - a melanistic form, all dark brown or nearly black, with some faint paler bars and a greyish tail base being common. The pale form is darker and more heavily spotted and barred below than the nominate race. It is brown on thighs and belly, and generally crestless, or with a only very small crest.

Voice
A ringing scream 'kleee-klee-ek' can be heard whether perched or on the wing. There is also a rapid 'ki-ki ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-keeee', beginning short, rising in crescendo, and ending in a scream. It is not a very noisy species.

Status and behaviour in the wild
The Malaysian and Indonesian races are more likely to be found in dense rain forest, but also frequents open country, even rice fields. It perches a great deal, and sits very upright on a perch. In savannah country it is most likely to be found along lines of big trees near water-courses, hunting from there out into the open jungle. Many of the island forms are true forest birds, perching within cover, and frequently using the same perch day after day. All forms soar a good deal over their haunts, but probably spend more of the day perched than on the wing.

For its size and power it is not a very rapacious bird, though it can on occasion kill quite large prey. When hunting in open jungle it uses a series of perches, flying from one to another with quick wing beats. It is often shy, but sometimes allows quite close approach, particularly when in the habit of frequenting villages. On being disturbed it will often fly away behind cover. It is usually a bird of low elevations.

wkcheah76 · 3rd August 2005

Diet
The species takes a variety of prey - mostly terrestrial - including mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Prey is taken from the ground, but some birds are also caught in trees.

lhjz · 3rd August 2005

Here's some more to add on to WK's collection.

This one lacks the crest or maybe its not developed.

We found that the CHHE loves to stay low.
An extremely silent bird as well.

lhjz · 3rd August 2005

And it loves to blink

both eyes

single eye

Also it gobbles up a lizard in a minute.

joeyao · 3rd August 2005

WOW

You guys are really blessed with this fantastic captures of the Changeable Hawk Eagle. I believe Jzs's capture is a different bird? According to my book on local birds, these chaps are rare residents. Were they caught in Singapore? Well done, IMO you guys are now on par with the best of the avian photogs of CS WoN

wkcheah76 · 5th August 2005

Erm Singapore? Many shooters, but probably many people who do not post too. So well, I think we'll let the public decide on who is the best, I shall not comment on this kinda things. Anyway, the aim is to edify, inform, and improve. The one up syndrome is a disease that not many can be immune to.

Thanks for commenting!

lhjz · 6th August 2005

I wont dare to say i am on par with the best of the avian photogs here.
Just wanted to share nature photography with people out there.

3rd August 2005	#1
wkcheah76 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tanah Merah, Singapore Posts: 2,467	Default Pale Morphed Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus) - Described by: Gmelin (1788) Alternate common name(s): Crested Hawk-eagle, Sunda Hawk-eagle Changeable Hawk Eagle is a medium-large raptor at about 60-72cm in length. As its name implies, the plumage is very variable, and the existence of a number of subspecies further complicates identification. Most subspecies have a crest of four feathers, but this is reduced in some races, and is absent in some island forms. On the continent of Asia occur the Spizaetus cirrhatus linnaetus. South-east to Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines. There are two phases - a melanistic form, all dark brown or nearly black, with some faint paler bars and a greyish tail base being common. The pale form is darker and more heavily spotted and barred below than the nominate race. It is brown on thighs and belly, and generally crestless, or with a only very small crest. Voice A ringing scream 'kleee-klee-ek' can be heard whether perched or on the wing. There is also a rapid 'ki-ki ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-keeee', beginning short, rising in crescendo, and ending in a scream. It is not a very noisy species. Status and behaviour in the wild The Malaysian and Indonesian races are more likely to be found in dense rain forest, but also frequents open country, even rice fields. It perches a great deal, and sits very upright on a perch. In savannah country it is most likely to be found along lines of big trees near water-courses, hunting from there out into the open jungle. Many of the island forms are true forest birds, perching within cover, and frequently using the same perch day after day. All forms soar a good deal over their haunts, but probably spend more of the day perched than on the wing. For its size and power it is not a very rapacious bird, though it can on occasion kill quite large prey. When hunting in open jungle it uses a series of perches, flying from one to another with quick wing beats. It is often shy, but sometimes allows quite close approach, particularly when in the habit of frequenting villages. On being disturbed it will often fly away behind cover. It is usually a bird of low elevations. __________________ "A closet Nykon lover"

3rd August 2005	#2
wkcheah76 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tanah Merah, Singapore Posts: 2,467	Diet The species takes a variety of prey - mostly terrestrial - including mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Prey is taken from the ground, but some birds are also caught in trees. __________________ "A closet Nykon lover"

3rd August 2005	#3
lhjz Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: homeless Posts: 888	Here's some more to add on to WK's collection. This one lacks the crest or maybe its not developed. We found that the CHHE loves to stay low. An extremely silent bird as well. __________________ www.jzsfotografix.com

3rd August 2005	#4
lhjz Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: homeless Posts: 888	And it loves to blink both eyes single eye Also it gobbles up a lizard in a minute. __________________ www.jzsfotografix.com

5th August 2005	#6
wkcheah76 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tanah Merah, Singapore Posts: 2,467	Erm Singapore? Many shooters, but probably many people who do not post too. So well, I think we'll let the public decide on who is the best, I shall not comment on this kinda things. Anyway, the aim is to edify, inform, and improve. The one up syndrome is a disease that not many can be immune to. Thanks for commenting! __________________ "A closet Nykon lover"

3rd August 2005	#5
joeyao Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 755	WOW You guys are really blessed with this fantastic captures of the Changeable Hawk Eagle. I believe Jzs's capture is a different bird? According to my book on local birds, these chaps are rare residents. Were they caught in Singapore? Well done, IMO you guys are now on par with the best of the avian photogs of CS WoN

6th August 2005	#7
lhjz Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: homeless Posts: 888	I wont dare to say i am on par with the best of the avian photogs here. Just wanted to share nature photography with people out there. __________________ www.jzsfotografix.com