"7-fingered" Lesser Spotted Eagle (1 Viewer)

[JayFeatherPL]

So I've seen this Spotted Eagle on the 20th of September, noon. It was flying over my garden to the forest.
The thing which surprised me, is the fact that this bird has 7 "fingers" which would point to the Greater Spotted Eagle, but this bird's extremely rare here, in Poland and I don't believe I had that much luck
So assuming it's a much commoner Lesser Spotted Eagle, why does this bird have 7 fingers instead of 6? Do I think right, that the "7th" finger on the front edge of the wing is an alula?
I upload 2 photos: The original one and a zoom on the bird.

 

[MJB]

So I've seen this Spotted Eagle on the 20th of September, noon. It was flying over my garden to the forest.
The thing which surprised me, is the fact that this bird has 7 "fingers" which would point to the Greater Spotted Eagle, but this bird's extremely rare here, in Poland and I don't believe I had that much luck
So assuming it's a much commoner Lesser Spotted Eagle, why does this bird have 7 fingers instead of 6? Do I think right, that the "7th" finger on the front edge of the wing is an alula?
I upload 2 photos: The original one and a zoom on the bird.

No matter how much I lightened your images, no underwing detail appeared - no sign of single or double commas. That might be due to the extreme contrast of bright sky and dark underwing limiting the contrast range of the camera. Although a dark-plumaged Steppe Eagle might fit the image, that species is very much less likely in Poland than Greater Spotted Eagle...!

The alula is always at the knuckle of the leading edge of the wing, distant from the primary feathers.
MJB

 

[Jinac]

Stevenson books says 7th short finger for adult

 

[JayFeatherPL]

The alula is always at the knuckle of the leading edge of the wing, distant from the primary feathers.

So it's not an alula? Is it just a short 7th finger, which would be longer in Greater Spotted Eagle?

Although a dark-plumaged Steppe Eagle might fit the image

I would already be very surprised if It turned out to be a Greater Spotted Eagle, let alone a Steppe Eagle!
As far as I know, every Steppe Eagle in Poland (or maybe: almost every?) was a juvenile. If it really was a juvenile Steppe Eagle, I think it would show its white framing of the coverts. I also brightened the image and I couldn't see anything either, but maybe it's all about the great contrast.

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Stevenson books says 7th short finger for adult

So is it just a short 7th finger, which would be longer in Greater Spotted Eagle?

 

[Jinac]

Wings seems too long for a Greater Spotted Eagle no ?

 

[JayFeatherPL]

I have also some worse photos, which may exclude an extremely rare Steppe Eagle.

 

[lou salomon]

it's a LSE or a LSE x GSE hybrid, but the latter wouldn't be provable on these pics. Jayfeather, 7th finger isn't reliable for ID if used as a single trait, length is a bit variable and in LSE shorter and rounder in juveniles/young immatures. To look for a hybrid we'd need much better resolution pics with primary barring visible etc.

 

[tconzemi]

So it's not an alula? Is it just a short 7th finger, which would be longer in Greater Spotted Eagle?

To avoid confusion: the outer finger is P10 primary number 10, but also finger number one. The seventh finger which on average might be longer in GSE is the innermost finger

 

[JayFeatherPL]

To avoid confusion: the outer finger is P10 primary number 10, but also finger number one. The seventh finger which on average might be longer in GSE is the innermost finger

Ahh, I see. Thanks for explanation. Completely forgot to check that!

7th finger isn't reliable for ID if used as a single trait, length is a bit variable and in LSE shorter and rounder in juveniles/young immatures.

Thanks for making me aware. So in that case, you have to see the plumage features, the pattern (not only the silhouette) to tell if it's a LSE or a GSE, right? Or maybe the length of each finger is a good feature (short fingers in LSE vs long fingers in GSE)?

 

[tconzemi]

So in that case, you have to see the plumage features, the pattern (not only the silhouette) to tell if it's a LSE or a GSE, right?

Correct

Or maybe the length of each finger is a good feature (short fingers in LSE vs long fingers in GSE)?

No, that's helpfull in large (Steppe, EIE) versus Spotted Eagles.
GSE has a more square hand versus more rounded in LSE but depending on flight action

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Correct

No, that's helpfull in large (Steppe, EIE) versus Spotted Eagles.
GSE has a more square hand versus more rounded in LSE but depending on flight action

Alright, thanks for the explanation!
Cheers!