gergrd
GREG
Hi. I'm helping my sister-in-law identify birds she saw on a recent trip to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in California. She had self-identified this bird as a Golden Eagle, but another birder offered the opinion that it is a juvenile Bald Eagle. Any thoughts and what makes the case one way or another?
photo here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Roxiemoms/SNWR#5441622106807597458
several more views of the eagle are in the gallery and may help:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Roxiemoms/SNWR#
Golden Eagles are rarities in Virginia, so I don't run into this confusion. By the way, if you are ever in Northern California, I'd highly recommend a visit to SNWR -the quantity and variety of birdlife there appears to be excellent.
Thanks,
Greg
photo here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Roxiemoms/SNWR#5441622106807597458
several more views of the eagle are in the gallery and may help:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Roxiemoms/SNWR#
Golden Eagles are rarities in Virginia, so I don't run into this confusion. By the way, if you are ever in Northern California, I'd highly recommend a visit to SNWR -the quantity and variety of birdlife there appears to be excellent.
Thanks,
Greg