2 eagles from Kruger Park South Africa (1 Viewer)

[Liebzi]

2 eagles from Kruger National Park end November 2022 I'm in doubt with.

The first one being a young martial perhaps. Long tailed pale eagle with darkish flight feathers. It just seems a bit off, but since Crowned is the only other option for being a bit similar, it's making me a bit confused.

The perched brownish eagle I identified as a Wahlberg's, but after getting home I'm seeing an unbarred tail giving it a taste of Tawny. But I might be wrong?

Looking forward to hear what you guys think

Best

Anton

 

[Butty]

1. I think sub-adult palm-nut vulture - despite the apparently-over-long tail.
2. Bill must be too big for Wahlberg's eagle.

 

[tconzemi]

1 Wahlberg’s
2 Tawny

 

[THE_FERN]

1 Wahlberg’s
2 Tawny

Are we sure about 1?
...Zooming in (only on a phone, though) does give a fairly convincing Palm nut face

 

[tconzemi]

Are we sure about 1?
...Zooming in (only on a phone, though) does give a fairly convincing Palm nut face

Have a look at the tail

 

[Andy Adcock]

The first bird does have a typically closed tail posture of Wahlberg's but it somehow looks too bulky and too long necked?

Vulture for me.

 

[THE_FERN]

Have a look at the tail

Yes I did. Macauley shows that while palm nut normally has a short tail, this isn't always the case, esp. for immatures. I think the op just about fits the range of variation

 

[MacNara]

I agree with vulture for 1, but can't see Palm-nut there. And I can't get Wahlberg's either, however many illustrations I look at.

Given that the photo is rather distant and blurry isn't it possible that this is just African White-backed? Or perhaps Cape Vulture in that location? The tail can definitely look like this (see attached photo) and if the neck was extended just a little, then it looks OK to me (and p10 being in the course of replacement in the OP's bird).

And if not, then something similar - i.e. not Palm-nut or Wahlberg's?

 

[tconzemi]

https://ebird.org/species/waheag3

Show me any vulture with 6 short fingers and a tail length equal to wing base

 

[THE_FERN]

https://ebird.org/species/waheag3

Show me any vulture with 6 short fingers and a tail length equal to wing base

well the tail is actually slightly shorter than the wing base. As to how long the fingers are, think it's difficult to assess although I can see they appear short.

 

[Sangahyando]

IMO the nape of the first bird looks overexposed and blending in with the sky, therefore creating the illusion of a proportionally smaller head and longer neck.

 

[MacNara]

The OP (Original Poster) Liebzi has not joined in the thread since the original post. Modern cameras seem to usually take a string of photos in succession. If Liebzi has other photos of this bird, perhaps they would help (however blurred) - so please post them if you are still watching. Again, this seems to be a thread where various knowledgeable people have varying opinions, so the more shots the better I think.

 

[Andy Adcock]

The first bird clearly has the wrong shape altogether for Wahlberg's IMHO.

 

[tconzemi]

From African Bird Club and Wahlbergs Eagle
IMO it's a Wahlberg's by shape including protruding neck, 6 shortish fingers, typical tail and overall colour