To clarify my previous comments - I think the following was also suggested by Peter (sorry, I can't read the Chinese!)
I realise that an adult CSE should have a solid pale bar and dark trailing edge, not shown by this bird.
However, the bird in the photograph shows a struture similar to CSE, especially in terms of having a relatively bulky body. Extensive yellow is visible around the eye, and the eye and bill look relatively large. The underparts seem to be heavily spotted, typical of CSE. I find wing shape difficult to judge due to the angle of the photo.
Crested Honey Buzzard should seem slimmer. In particular, the head should seem much smaller and project further beyond the wings. The bill should be smaller and weaker, with no bare skin around the eye (which should be dark).
The main feature suggesting Honey buzzard seems to be the tail pattern dark bands near the base and tip, but otherwise pale) - but CSE also shows this tail pattern (and I think the broad dark bars actually fit better for CSE).
I think the bird is a 1st summer CSE, in which the flight feathers are retained from juvenile plumage but the body feathers have undergone a complete moult to adult-type plumage. I don't remember seeing a bird in this plumage before and can understand how the lack of the usual white/dark bar could cause some confusion. Author: kmike Time: 6/04/2009 14:01
Agree with John - Crested Serpent Eagle with juvenile flight feathers.
I have seen birds like this at Ng Tung Chai in the past.
Cheers
Mike K Author: mbill Time: 6/04/2009 14:15 Subject: Crested Serpent Eagle
I agree this is a crested serpent eagle--juvenil
04/04/2009
Mai Po (same time, same place, same bird)
Author: birdyoung Time: 11/04/2009 06:24
This is a 1cy(Juvenile) Crested Serpent Eagle without molting.
You can find 2 dark band at the tail.
This bird will start molting its p1 soon.
Birdyoung
Welcome to HKBWS Forum 香港觀鳥會討論區 (http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/)
