Greater Spotted Eagle - Perak

 Going back to visit my family let's say I can leave a couple of hours for birding. Knowing the roasting site for the Aquila actually help a lot. Especially today when we frighten one out from its usual perch. 

Here a juvenile decided to perch and flew off when I rush out. A thrid year was nearby but never come close enough for us.

Nevertheless some interesting feature here which is visible is the nostril shape. The ear shape are clearly point to Greater Spotted Eagle. This is compare to the other 2 species of Aquila namely the steppe and also the imperial eagle. More circular in Booted eagle. 

The gape extended to mid of the eye. It goes behind eye in for steppe eagle. One possible Hybrid of a greater and lesser sighted in chui chak many years back are also showing characteristic of gape extended behind eye level but other feature are pointing to greater spotted eagle. 

This are useful characteristic when dealing with some confusing plumage. Especially such as this individual showing white on the covert similar to Steppe Eagle. This particular individual are also know and brown morph "plumage aberrant" situation.