ID this raptor?

[Garion]

Taken at Sungei Buloh, near one of the hides during last weeks photo outing w/ Harlequin, Zplus & Magixshoe. We were shooting some sand plovers when this magnificent bugger flew overhead (scaring all the birds off in the process) and alighted on a nearby tree. Not sure which species it is, could it be a Brahminy Kite? Thanks in advance for any help rendered.

Shot w/ Sigma 50-500mm w/ a 1.4 TC. Cropped, autolevels & USM applied.

[stor]

This is a White-Bellied Sea Eagle. One of the common and big eagles in Singapore.

[erwinx]

50-500 with 1.4x TC wow - the pic looks pretty good Nice record shot of the bird

[FLiNcHY]

You need to get closer man. At 700mm, this picture doesn't really say that its at 700mm

The animal does not speak to the viewers. As in i don't see it talking to me. Maybe eye contact with the lense would have improved it

Still, getting a more close up shot would have been better

[Garion]

Many thanks to stor for ID-ing the bird. Wow....a white bellied sea eagle. But I thought its plumage should be blue and white? This one has brownish plumage instead.

Thanks erwinx for your kind compliments. I guess we were lucky to catch it that day.

Originally Posted by FLiNcHY You need to get closer man. At 700mm, this picture doesn't really say that its at 700mm The animal does not speak to the viewers. As in i don't see it talking to me. Maybe eye contact with the lense would have improved it Still, getting a more close up shot would have been better

Thanks for your comments, FLiNcHY. I am somewhat new to the art of bird photography and would appreciate any tips I can get from more experienced photographers. I agree that getting closer would be ideal. Indeed I was considering getting nearer to the bird, but it was only perched at that location for a few short minutes and I did the best I could. Range was probably abt 30-40 metres away. We were in a hide located over the swampy ground...u had to walk across a boardwalk to get to it, and its surrounded by dense vegetation.

[sehsuan]

i think this was also what i saw previously at fort canning as well.

[stor]

Originally Posted by Garion Many thanks to stor for ID-ing the bird. Wow....a white bellied sea eagle. But I thought its plumage should be blue and white? This one has brownish plumage instead.

It is not true that WB Sea Eagle has Blue and white plumage. The adult has blackish white flight feathers which you could spot it on your shots. Brahminy Kite plumage is more towards bright cinnamon colour and smaller in size. Could differentiate quite easily. One way to ID them is to go to JBP and take at good look at the eagles in the cages.

Cheers

Steven Tor