Aquila .......? Lebanon 2015 -2021 (1 Viewer)

[Richard Prior]

A friend of mine in Lebanon has a rescue and rehabilitation centre where he receives injured birds, the majority not surprisingly casualties of the indiscriminate bird shooting that continues there. This particular eagle was found injured and brought to him in 2015 so is now (see photos taken last month, Nov 2021) an adult (or almost), sadly unable to fly properly. The Aquila eagles that regularly migrate through the Levant are Booted, Lesser Spotted, Greater Spotted, Steppe and Eastern Imperial, young Golden Eagles occasionally turn up as have a few Tawny Eagles in Israel. To my (inexpert) eyes this seems to tick various boxes (pale iris, nostril shape, gape flange length, streaked ‘trousers’ and general colouration?) for a sub adult/adult Tawny Eagle and we would greatly appreciate input from you raptor experts out there.

Shukran in advance!

 

[Muppit17]

A friend of mine in Lebanon has a rescue and rehabilitation centre where he receives injured birds, the majority not surprisingly casualties of the indiscriminate bird shooting that continues there. This particular eagle was found injured and brought to him in 2015 so is now (see photos taken last month, Nov 2021) an adult (or almost), sadly unable to fly properly. The Aquila eagles that regularly migrate through the Levant are Booted, Lesser Spotted, Greater Spotted, Steppe and Eastern Imperial, young Golden Eagles occasionally turn up as have a few Tawny Eagles in Israel. To my (inexpert) eyes this seems to tick various boxes (pale iris, nostril shape, gape flange length, streaked ‘trousers’ and general colouration?) for a sub adult/adult Tawny Eagle and we would greatly appreciate input from you raptor experts out there.

Shukran in advance!

Hi Richard
I always find judging the size of large raptors when they are alone v difficult. Without observer input to the relative scale it is almost impossible.
One species that you have missed off your list is Bonelli's, and this is a particularly confusing species when in juvenile plumage and perched. There are a number of features that match with Bonelli's in these photos IMO and it is more likely than Tawny in Lebanon

Afwan...

 

[tconzemi]

Hi Richard
a very special bird, especially if it is really in its 6th calendar year. Unfortunately we can see hardly anything to ID this bird, even the nostril shape is difficult to see. I'm afraid this bird must be handheld with underwings and undertail barring visible to get a good ID

 

[Richard Prior]

Hi Richard
I always find judging the size of large raptors when they are alone v difficult. Without observer input to the relative scale it is almost impossible.
One species that you have missed off your list is Bonelli's, and this is a particularly confusing species when in juvenile plumage and perched. There are a number of features that match with Bonelli's in these photos IMO and it is more likely than Tawny in Lebanon

Afwan...

Thanks Muppit 17, you're dead right re. lone raptors, and perched too! I forgot Bonelli's (mainly because it's actually pretty rare through Lebanon, the status wrongly attributed on the Lebanese checklist IMHO (but let's not go there....), but wouldn't a Bonelli's at least 6 years old be in adult plumage?

 

[Richard Prior]

Hi Richard
a very special bird, especially if it is really in its 6th calendar year. Unfortunately we can see hardly anything to ID this bird, even the nostril shape is difficult to see. I'm afraid this bird must be handheld with underwings and undertail barring visible to get a good ID

Thanks Tom, I hope my friend has given me the correct info re dates, this is the problem when doing things as a 3rd party!!!!

 

[Muppit17]

Thanks Muppit 17, you're dead right re. lone raptors, and perched too! I forgot Bonelli's (mainly because it's actually pretty rare through Lebanon, the status wrongly attributed on the Lebanese checklist IMHO (but let's not go there....), but wouldn't a Bonelli's at least 6 years old be in adult plumage?

I agree, it should be but with any captive bird who knows?, especially if injured.
If it is captive - some measurements, however rough, would be invaluable

 

[Richard Prior]

Good advice from both of you (actions which I should have suggested to my friend in the first place!)