dark bird of prey with a huge wing span! Eastern Mass. (USA) (1 Viewer)

[BirdieKate]

No of course I don't have a picture. I'm just not that prepared!!

Patient birders will take a minute with this one to help me. Eastern Massachusetts... near water (a large reservoir), but inland, I'm 40 minutes from the coast. I've seen this bird three or four times in the last two months, so it's not someone just passing through. When I see him from a distance, I think, "oh look, there's a [great blue] heron," because his wingspan is just that wide. But then he's soaring, wheeling, catching a thermal - and herons just don't do that! Then I get closer and see the familiar shape of a bird of prey - I know my red-tailed hawks very well, but this boy is much bigger. He's also all dark underneath, and just has this big wide wing span!

If I had to comment on the size of the body or wings... well, the width of the wings themselves is not immense, the body not huge. He's a bit on the svelte side. I'd love to think I was looking at an eagle, but the body and wings just don't look big enough. I don't think it's a turkey vulture, because I'm not seeing the feathers spread out like fingers at the ends - which is usually my telltale sign. The other night, he (she?) was catching a thermal and was soaring high, higher, such a distance away from me, and I still said, "wow, BIG," when I looked at it.

I know, I know, this isn't much to go on in terms of making an ID. But if you're a birder from my area, and you saw something like this, what would your first guess be? Just kick me for not keeping my binocs in the car.

 

[Michael W]

The range is probably off, but have you considered Magnificent Frigatebird?

 

[affe22]

I did a little checking. Magnificent Frigatebirds have a wingspan of 90 in, which would make a GB Heron look tiny, with a wingspan of 70 in, a full 20 in less. Turkey Vultures have a wingspan of 71 in, which would be close to the size description. The only "bird of prey" looking bird with a wingspan that size, that color, and a flight description of that nature, I'm sorry to say, if the Turkey Vulture. Hopefully it is some really cool seabird though and you could get a better description or maybe even a picture.

 

[affe22]

I just looked at Bald Eagles' wingspans. They are 80 in, which would fit into the, "That's a big heron" description. Do you get those right now?

 

[BirdieKate]

Well of course my hope of hopes is that it's a baldy. I am seeing this bird near a large reservoir, where a bald eagle has been spotted before in winter. There's an island in the middle of that reservoir, with some big tall pines and some bare wood (where, coincidentally, those herons hang out). So I'm always hopeful, and this thing is just so big... If it's a baldy, what do you think of the dark coloring underneath?

I think I am too far from the coast for the frigatebird, but seeing your mention of it made me recall that the Massachusetts Audubon sightings listed one not too long ago. But I think that was coastal, and again, this week was my 4th time seeing this bird in about two months.

Question: Would it hurt my binoculars to spend time in a hot car? Warm car? I need to start having them with me on a regular basis; will tote them in and out of work if necessary...

I just looked at Bald Eagles' wingspans. They are 80 in, which would fit into the, "That's a big heron" description. Do you get those right now?

 

[affe22]

How much did your binoculars cost? That's really the first question. I don't know whether it is good for them or not (mine have spent many a hot day sitting in the car to no ill effect) but I do know if I had paid a lot for them they would not be in there.

Bald eagles are going to be dark brown on the dorsal portions of the wings and chest. Adults will have the white head and tail while immature eagles will be brown in varying degrees depending on age. I would imagine that you'd have a lot of Bald Eagles around there through migration/winter. I went to college in Northern Missouri and we had loads of them. Even more show up along the Mississippi River.

 

[BirdieKate]

$300 smackers, which to me is a lot. Well I can't satisfy my curiosity without using them, can I?! I'll put them in the car and bring them into the office... heck, I might even see him from inside the building here, we're on a hill and I'm on the 3rd floor.

We're about to head into high migration season here for birds of prey, so I should keep the binocs with me, period.

I thought (am hoping) maybe it is be a young baldie, due to the darker coloring. Wish me luck that with the binocs, I'll get the chance to see him again. Once I do, I will share as many specs as I can. Thanks for the opinions and encouragement!

 

[lassa8]

Frigatebirds have a fairly distinctive shape when seen soaring.
See this photo for an example: http://www.baladeornithologique.com/Guadeloupe/Photos/Fr%E9gate%20superbe%20012%20dated.jpg

My guess would be a Bald Eagle or Turkey Vulture, both of which can appear to be very large, even from a distance.

 

[BirdieKate]

Okay, thanks for that link - this bird's wings definitely do not have that shape. Well the binocs are with me. I'll post when I can report something definitive!

Frigatebirds have a fairly distinctive shape when seen soaring.
See this photo for an example: http://www.baladeornithologique.com/Guadeloupe/Photos/Fr%E9gate%20superbe%20012%20dated.jpg

My guess would be a Bald Eagle or Turkey Vulture, both of which can appear to be very large, even from a distance.

 

[Tero]

It's hard to determine the size of birds that are past a certain distance, so I would not let the size bother, match the bird to a hawk or eagle. Try the Peterson book ..Hawks?..has all the juveniles. You should get a lot of birds in migration soon.

Happy hawk/eagle watching.

 

[Hummer]

How about a Golden Eagle?

 

[BirdieKate]

Well of course you know that since I've been keeping my binocs with me, this bird is no longer to be seen! arrrghhh!!! oh well, I'm having a good time with other birds this fall migration season instead. Thanks for all the suggestions - I can only hope this was an eagle of any type!