brentmelissa
Member
I thought this was a Bald Eagle when taking the photo but on closer look im unsure
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Eagle? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter brentmelissa
- Start date
Robert / Seattle
Well-known member
No question. Agree with Alex.
brentmelissa
Member
Thanks guys. Wish I could have gotten more detail in that photo
Hi,
Agree on Bald Eagle. I am attaching an enhanced version of the photo that reveals more of the plumage details. I believe this bird is a juvenile (first year). Note the white axillaries (armpits) and shoulders, together with a fairly dark belly, that are typical of juvenile plumage.
Best,
Jim
Attachments
JANJ
Well-known member
We don´t know when the image of this BE was taken, but it can´t have been this year which would make it a true juvenile (1cy = first calendar year), since the underparts are not uniformly brownish and because of the moult factor. The eagle is probably a 2cy, with faded whitish underparts which have yet to show moult in secondaries (usually s1-2, 4-5 + moult scedule depending on latitude in N.A, Florida birds earlier than northen ones) which give the eagle a broader wing usually - lacking the irregular appearance of newly aquired feathers which would look darker and shorter than any retained paler and longer juvenile feather.
1st basic Colorado March (Bill Schmoker)
http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Raptors/BAEA_1B_5.jpg
Note the pointed secondaries and uniform brown underparts in the juvenile bird:
http://www.pbase.com/cfields/image/73764340
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v101n01/p0001-p0010.pdf
JanJ
1st basic Colorado March (Bill Schmoker)
http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Raptors/BAEA_1B_5.jpg
Note the pointed secondaries and uniform brown underparts in the juvenile bird:
http://www.pbase.com/cfields/image/73764340
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v101n01/p0001-p0010.pdf
JanJ
In conjunction with Jan's post above, I wanted to ask when the photo was taken? EXIF data suggests an hour before it was posted yesterday, though I wonder if that is accurate.
Best,
Jim
Yes, I guess it helps to think about what is going on with the bird over time rather than just pick the closest match in a field guide--which is what I was doing. Duh!
Best,
Jim
Terry O'Nolley
Cow-headed Jaybird
Assuming this bird was photographed in North America, the choices are Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle.
The long wingspan and short tail is definitely eagle, but I am not familiar enough with juvie eagles to differentiate Bald Eagle form Golden Eagle.
The long wingspan and short tail is definitely eagle, but I am not familiar enough with juvie eagles to differentiate Bald Eagle form Golden Eagle.
Hi Terry,
I think pretty much everyone has agreed that it is a Bald Eagle. The amount of white on the axillaries and "shoulders" is pretty much diagnostic for an immature Bald Eagle. A Golden Eagle never shows this amount of white in this pattern. Also, Golden Eagle would be quite unusual in Wisconsin, especially at this time of year.
Best,
Jim
Terry O'Nolley
Cow-headed Jaybird
Thanks Jim. The retouched photo you provided really makes it obvious.
I have sort of adopted a rule as of late that I don't read the other replies to an ID request that I think I might have positive input to contribute.
In this case, it was merely to answer the question of "Eagle?". I felt confident that it was an eagle but, in looking at the OP's photo, didn't feel confident in IDing by species.
Your enhanced photo does make it clear that it is a Bald Eagle here.
brentmelissa
Member
Here is another shot from the series, these shots were taken on the 16th of July. They were taken in west central wisconsin, and as far as I know there are no nesting golden eagles around here, they migrate through sometimes though. But I know this area to have a few bald eagles.
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