unsure Eagle Species plumage phase ? (1 Viewer)

[jamestwhite]

Can any one help with id of this raptor, taken in Sept 2015 it was an out take from my collection hence sorry for poor Quality but have looked at again and not sure of species and age it was in Spain at Duqessa Nr Gibraltar at Raptor peak migration lots of Booted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Short toed Eagle going over but none of the Booted Eagle or Honey Buzzard in all plumage forms i photographed were like this Bird is it Booted Eagle Dark form in transition its the dark Carpels and very broad dark underwing trailing edge that is stumping me . Many thanks

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Its a difficult image (with lots of artefacts) but looks like a buteo to me - is this the only image?

 

[tconzemi]

Its a difficult image (with lots of artefacts) but looks like a buteo to me - is this the only image?

not an eagle indeed, gut feeling is juvenile Honey Buzzard

 

[Deb Burhinus]

not an eagle indeed, gut feeling is juvenile Honey Buzzard

I’m swayed towards agreement Tom - just looking again at this on a larger screen, there appears to be a (yellow?) bright elongated patch at the ‘front’ of the head which I hadn’t noticed earlier - if not artefact, which I think not, this would change the impression of the head shape (and colour) to very much to juvenile HB - Structure of juveniles are a bit closer to Common Buzzards are they not? - perhaps the buteo type proportion of the wing and tail were misleading me? The very dusky secondaries fit too.

 

[Sangahyando]

perhaps the buteo type proportion of the wing and tail are misleading me? The very dusky secondaries fit too.

IMO the tail shape fits Honey Buzzard best. Also agree that the shiny long "bill" could be an artifact, perhaps caused by glare.

 

[RafaelMatias]

Agree with all above, HB would also be my call.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

IMO the tail shape fits Honey Buzzard best. Also agree that the shiny long "bill" could be an artifact, perhaps caused by glare.

Yes, I agree - remiss of me indeed :t:

 

[jamestwhite]

Thanks all, had suspicion might be honey buzzard just not sure which form as have not seen one with such variable plumage but tail shape did stick in mind. Only pic i got of that individual.