in its stronghold of northern India, for reasons not fully understood.
RED-HEADED VULTURE
Sarcogyps calvus 81 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Note diagnostic red head and feet.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: Much reduced in numbers and no longer occurs near human habitation anywhere within this region. Mainly found as territorial pairs in remoter areas, especially along forested river valleys, from the lowlands to 2,000 metres. Shyer and less gregarious than other vultures. Feeds on carcasses of large mammals, often together with other scavengers.
CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE
Spilornis cheela 81 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Somewhat scaly plumage and small crest are diagnostic (left); note white wing band on flying bird (right).
Voice: A penetrating wheew-wheew when soaring carries far. Vocal.
Habits: Essentially a forest bird that seems to prefer mature secondary growth along forest edges and clearings. Sits motionless on a mid-storey branch watching for prey, mostly tree snakes, but also some small mammals and birds. Often soars high over the forest on late morning thermals.
PHILIPPINE SERPENT-EAGLE
Spilornis holospilus 56 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Unmistakable within its range. Recently accepted as a full species. Distinguished from previous species by more well-defined spots on underparts and wings.
Voice: Similar to previous species.
Habits: Occurs in forest and along forest edges, often seen in clearings and river valleys. Tolerant of environmental disturbance and often seen soaring over nearby open areas. Feeds on amphibians, reptiles and other live prey. Otherwise little studied and its nest has not yet been described.
EASTERN MARSH-HARRIER
Circus spilonotus 50 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Photo shows immature bird; the underpants of immature and female birds are less streaked than other harriers. The male is pale grey with black wing coverts.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: Found in open country, especially in extensive marshes, reed beds, tall grass areas and wet fields. The most numerous harrier (genus: Circus) in the region. Flies low, hugging the contours of the terrain, flapping briefly and gliding intermittently. Dives into the grass to catch slow-moving birds and rodents.
JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK
Accipiter gularis 27 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Photo shows female bird. The male is smaller and has more rufous underparts with thin barring. The immature bird has a streaked (not barred) chest.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: Typical Accipiter raptor. Flies low with amazing agility when hunting for prey, almost exclusively small passerine birds surprised and caught in flight. Found during winter in all types of wooded habitat, from forest edges to semi-open country and around villages. Sometimes soars high, late in the morning or during migration.
BESRA
Accipiter virgatus 33 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Plumage variable with sex, age and subspecies. Photo shows female. Distinguished with great difficulty from previous species by heavier streaks on its throat.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: A forest bird found in a variety of wooded habitats, often in elevated areas up to 2,400 metres. Status somewhat uncertain as this species is very difficult to distinguish in the field from previous migratory species. Feeds on small birds caught on the wing; less often on reptiles and small mammals hunted on the ground. Its small nest is built high in a large forest tree.
CRESTED GOSHAWK
Accipiter trivirgatus 40 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Note the short, rounded wings and streaked/barred underparts; crest hardly noticeable.
Voice: A shrill, prolonged scream he-he-he-he-he.
Habits: A forest hawk found in lowland and submontane rainforest and along forest edges. Flies low to hunt for squirrels, lizards, birds and large insects. Sometimes soars on thermals over its territory, screaming loudly.
SHIKRA
Accipiter badius 32 cm F: Accipitridae
Description: Male (photo) has diagnostic bluish wings and back. Female is larger with brownish
