The nest of the rufous-bellied eagle or Lophotriorchis kienerii, which typically inhabits mature hill and montane forests, was spotted by research fellow Anuar McAfee during a field trip in late February.

Found primarily in Southeast Asia, the rufous-bellied eagle is considered “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

McAfee, of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), said nesting records for the raptor were scarce even within its known range.

“We know the species nests here, as the bird can be seen in our forests.

“But no nest had been found before this. So that in itself is significant,” the author of “Birds of Terengganu” told FMT.

McAfee, a research fellow at UniSZA’s East Coast Environmental Research Institute, said the discovery of the nest in Malaysia was especially valuable for conservation biology, biodiversity monitoring, and forest ecosystem assessment.

He said it was also symbolically appropriate given the theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”.

“The presence of this eagle signals that our forests remain ecologically healthy and capable of supporting apex wildlife,” he said.

“To witness and confirm the nesting of such a special raptor in Malaysia is truly of great significance.”