[kitefarrago]

I visited South Africa in the first half of August this year. I have various pictures of mostly raptors where I'm not confident regarding identification. I'm relatively new to birding and this was my first visit to the area. The pictures were taken in the southern half of Kruger National Park.

I'll probably post several times in an effort to make it all less confusing. Also, I'm not sure whether the size of the jpgs I'd like to post is sensible, and it seems better to try this out with a post containing not too many images.

I'd appreciate any help with the following bird, which appears to be a juvenile snake eagle. It was identified to me as a juvenile brown snake eagle, but the light colour of the head makes me wonder.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[birdboybowley]

Can't think of anything else it can be. Apparently imms can be quite variable

[Tib78]

The very pale head/upperparts and the slight rufous cast to the underparts would point towards immature Black-chested Snake Eagle rather than Brown.

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by Tib78

The very pale head/upperparts and the slight rufous cast to the underparts would point towards immature Black-chested Snake Eagle rather than Brown.

I wondered this but couldn't find images of many immature's, apart from this one which appears similar, - http://www.birdquest.net/afbid/birds...9&af_bs_id=255

What do Immature Banded look like?

[Tib78]

Originally Posted by rockfowl

What do Immature Banded look like?

Structurally different from others Circaetus: more compact, shorter legged (with thicker tarsi) and with a shorter primary projection. Also often appearing even bigger headed than "typical" Circaetus.
The imms of both Southern and Western Banded Snake Eagle also usually show a whiter face contrasting with the nape and crown.

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by Tib78

Structurally different from others Circaetus: more compact, shorter legged (with thicker tarsi) and with a shorter primary projection. Also often appearing even bigger headed than "typical" Circaetus.
The imms of both Southern and Western Banded Snake Eagle also usually show a whiter face contrasting with the nape and crown.

Cheers Tib's, again few images on the net it seems, of immature's anyway, agree the structures rather different.