Aquilla in Oman (1 Viewer)

buzzard12

Well-known member

• Oct 31, 2015

• #1

Raysut in Oman today, opinions welcome on this Aquilla. In field looked small, short tailed in direct comparison with Steppe Eagle. Contrast between secondaries and primaries striking.

 

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lou salomon

the birdonist

• Oct 31, 2015

• #2

looks like juvenile greater spotted eagle albeit a weird one. well, i have seen some variability and those pale proximal parts of the primaries might be overemphasized by bright light and at the same time reflection of the pale desert ground as seen in most raptor pics from the middle east. secondary barring looks a bit on the bold side for GSE...

 

tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Oct 31, 2015

• #3

I think (and I would hope others would confirm) that this should be a hybrid GSE/LSE
GSE should show narrow bars mainly in the center of each flight feather, here they are rather bold something between GSE and LSE well defined at base but stopping well before the tip, but not by fading away but with a kind of weird subterminal bar far away from the tip
Surely Tib's and Dick's comments wold be welcome, I suggest sending these beautiful pictures to Dick Forsman www.dickforsman.com

 

K

KGS

Well-known member

• Oct 31, 2015

• #4

I think this is a juvenile Steppe Eagle, even if it lacks the usual pale g cov. E.g. extensive barring on all primaries should exclude Spotted Eagles. The obvious pale primary windows also don't match GSE or LSE well. First pic shows distinct long gape.

 

tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Oct 31, 2015

• #5

KGS said:

I think this is a juvenile Steppe Eagle, even if it lacks the usual pale g cov. E.g. extensive barring on all primaries should exclude Spotted Eagles. The obvious pale primary windows also don't match GSE or LSE well. First pic shows distinct long gape.

Click to expand...

Ooooooh, That might be very well possible!

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Oct 31, 2015

• #6

The conclusion on Facebook where Alan put it is Steppe Eagle.

JanJ

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Oct 31, 2015

• #7

aha. therefore the bold barrring and the looong gape...
greater coverts missing???

 

tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Nov 1, 2015

• #8

lou salomon said:

aha. therefore the bold barrring and the looong gape...
greater coverts missing???

Click to expand...

A few % do not have white GC

 

Dimitris

Birdwatcher in Oz

• Nov 1, 2015

• #9

Yes, this is a juvenile Steppe Eagle. They sometimes lack the wingbar.

 

buzzard12

Well-known member

• Nov 1, 2015

• #10

Thanks for all the comments guys. Much appreciated....