The real deal is much more amazing than a ‘staged’ feeding and isn’t that rare of an opportunity. Seeing them either scouring the land and sea for prey can be quite the National Geographic moment, especially when witnessing the sudden plunge to earth and the rapid departure of either bird carrying its wiggling prey through the skies. A young Sea Eagle could be mistaken for a young Brahminy Kite and visa versa. It may take a novice some time to spot the difference between a Brahminy Kite and a Sea Eagle, because both birds have similar coloring as juveniles. That may sound a bit mythical, but adult Brahminy Kites not only have distinct brown and white coloring, they can also be identified by a very distinct call, which sounds… like a baby crying. It’s about a mother who left her baby under a banana tree while working in a field, the baby floating towards the sky crying as it magically transformed into a Brahminy Kite and flew away. There’s an interesting old tale from Papua, New Guinea that’s passed through Southeast Asia. Hunters by nature, their natural diet of fish and small animals keeps them healthy and numerous in Langkawi, ensuring their continued importance in the balance of Langkawi’s eco-system. And although it’s not actually an eagle, the Brahminy Kite certainly looks like the eagle of my American homeland and joins the other birds-of-prey in the raptor family. The Brahminy Kite starts the list as it’s considered by many to be the namesake of Langkawi: helang-eagle, kawi- reddish-brown. Far too many to cover in a BLOG, here’s just a teaser of the fascination world of bird watching in Langkawi. I’ve since replaced Florida seagulls and robins with magnificent Brahminy Kites, glorious Hornbills and many more of the 200-plus species of birds residing in Langkawi, including those popping in for a rest during their migrations. It only took one enthusiastic naturalist and a few interesting tales, to have me immediately purchasing a field guide and a pair of binoculars in my quest to become a ‘birder’. Reading bird field guides are great for the more scientifically inclined bird enthusiasts, but the average curious individual would do well to indulge in an actual bird watching or nature tour. But with Langkawi bird watching the diverse population of birds makes it possible to see and hear birds at all hours of the day, although there is definitely more bird social interaction during the cooler times of the day, such as morning and late afternoon/early evening. Perhaps in the quiet hours of the approaching day they get front stage. One becomes accustomed to the birds of their own country and the chirping can eventually become background sounds competing with the cacophony of modern times.
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