29 March 2024

White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake

I was taking a photo of an egret at Taman Tasik Raub yesterday afternoon when I heard a loud commotion. 
A White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster) was being harassed by a Large-billed Crow.
This is my first time seeing a Sea Eagle in Raub. It's common habitat is in coastal areas, and inland (like Raub) waterbodies.
sub-adults variably greyish-brown underparts
Sub-adult White-bellied Sea Eagle, still patches of brown at the neck.
Jungle crows are not common in this small town, unlike big cities like Kuala Lumpur where crows are a pest. Here, crows are usually seen in big trees and high telecommunication towers.

White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake
 The crow chased the eagle into the tree.

White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake
White-bellied Sea Eagle trying to defend attacked by Crow 

White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake
mid-air fight
 Apparently, this type of fight is common between eagles and crows. Maybe to protect their nest and territories.
White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake
Sea Eagle didn't want to waste time and energy; he just flew away.

White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake
A Large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos macrorhynchos) claims victory.