Eastern X Western Marsh Harrier - Hybrid

 We were lucky today after searching the whole paddy field in the morning we come across one Marsh Harrier which was noted to by a Hybrid. Do take note that identification of hybrid is never easy and there is not 100% conclusive of hybrid. Some even argue that only DNA analysis can ensure the identification. Nevertheless this is not our target to change or challenge any view or status quo. The below are a minor detail and some of what we have seen to set it apart. 

While moving around in this area we saw one harrier from the end of the plot. without hesitating we drove nearer to be able to see more details. The first feature attracted me, was this harrier show no sign of white or pale rump. As in photo below for confirmation the rump was rather even colour of the back. In Western Marsh Harrier this is dark in colour even with the back of the body. Eastern Marsh Harrier show more white rump or paler rump distinctive and can be pick up easily. 

We further tried our best to obtain other information where set it apart from the Eastern. We noted that the ear patch were connected to the eye. This was captured in the photo. To ensure we are not bias both side of the bird face were photograph and reviewed. As in below photo you can see that the black lining although was not thick it was connected to the eye. This marking is crucial as this was a feature for the Western Marsh Harrier but not the Eastern Marsh Harrier. The Eastern Marsh Harrier range from crescent to patch but never connected to the eye.

Nevertheless the paler inner webs of the bird and crested carpal patch is something more familiar with for the Eastern. This taken into consideration of the  age and moult of the bird. The flight feather are also more consistent in colour for Western compare to Eastern. 

The paler shoulder and side of breast is also something more familiar to Eastern compare to Western. Nevertheless the lack of joining on the pale patch in breast is something familiar to Western. Acknowledge this feature,  we shall not rule out the dark morph/variation of the Eastern Marsh Harrier which show entire dark underpart. We also noted that the bird colour is darker and more chocolate in colour a feature more familiar to western compare to easter. This bird clearly show intermediate plumage of both Eastern and Western thus suggesting that this is an hybrid. It will be great to have more observation of this hybrid in Malaysia.