Juvenile Bald eagle? (1 Viewer)

GalloImages

Bridger Peaks Photography

• Apr 3, 2018

• #1

I was in Yellowstone National park today, April 3, 2018. I found this eagle perched by the Lamar River.

I am assuming this is a juvenile bald or golden eagle.. which is it?

I have see many juvie bald eagles but never one with this color pattern/markings.

Thanks for your help

Mark

 

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birdmeister

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2018

• #2

Definitely immature Bald Eagle. Perhaps the clean white belly suggests a leucistic bird.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Apr 3, 2018

• #3

Agree with Bald Eagle

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Apr 3, 2018

• #4

That it is and nicely captured!

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Apr 4, 2018

• #5

That is very strange plumage.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Apr 4, 2018

• #6

Jeff hopkins said:

That is very strange plumage.

Click to expand...

Ya know, it may well be leucistic with that all white breast.

 

MTem

Well-known member

• Apr 4, 2018

• #7

No need to invoke leucism. It seems that in intermediate plumages Bald eagles will develop white patches all over the place.

See in the link below. Photos 7/8/9 look like the bird in the post.

http://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2013/01/27/a-guide-to-aging-bald-eagles/

Mick

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Apr 4, 2018

• #8

Not sure, Mick. The 2nd and 3rd year birds do get white bellies, but I've never seen one as clean as this one. And the white on the face is very sharp, too, although the link you included does show something like that. But again, these facial patches seem more clean to me.

 

Last edited: Apr 4, 2018