This medium-size bird (approximately 10 inches) is a rare bird in Kalimantan but can be found in a range of wooded habitats, including swamps and forests. It can be identified by the orange and yellow outgrowths on the crown of its head and a hooked black bill. Bristleheads also have red coloring on the thighs, neck, throat and face. When in flight a white patch can sometimes be seen on the wing.
The Anhinga melanogaster has a long neck much like a snake, so it is sometimes referred to as the snakebird. It has a sharp bill and a brown neck and head. It is identifiable by the white chin stripe that runs down the side of its neck. The rest of its feathers are black. You will find this bird near swamps, rivers and other inland wetlands drying off its waterlogged feathers. This bird enjoys a diet of fish, so it will submerge itself underwater to collect food.
Halcyon capensis has a blue tail and blue wings. A large red bill is the most distinguishing characteristic of the stork-billed kingfisher. It also has red feet and orange and yellow underparts. This bird is the largest kingfisher around Kalimantan. It feeds on fish, frogs and crabs, so you may see it hovering over the water or on the banks of rivers and mangroves. This kingfisher likes to perch in tree branches above to watch for prey as well.
Known as the Spizaetus cirrhatus scientifically, the changeable hawk-eagle has a large wingspan, between 50 and 54 inches. The feathers on the wings of this bird are brown with a black tip. The rounded tail is also brown, and a black crest of feathers sits on its crown. This bird sits at lower elevations and may perch for many days in the same tree looking to catch prey in the forest, near streams or in the savannas with its yellow hooked bill.
The Milvus migrans is a medium-size bird of prey. This raptor has a forked tail, a black bill and dark brown feathers. A black kite will typically stay in a small group but will flock with large groups during grasshopper season. It also eats small mammals and lizards and may scavenge in towns. The average size of a black kite is 20 inches. The black kite is among the most populous of raptors worldwide.
