Eagle in Missouri, US (1 Viewer)

[TKbird]

Posting on behalf of my brother, who drove across the country in February 2018 (we're from MA and get a decent number of Bald Eagles, but few Golden Eagles). In southern Missouri (near Winona) he saw an eagle that struck him as golden, and got poor photos as it flew away. At this point he doesn't remember details, so all we've got are these junky photos and the knowledge that a Golden Eagle in southern Missouri would be even more surprising than here in MA. But I thought I'd post them anyway to see if any eagle experts can glean something from the shape!

Thanks!
TKbird

 

[THE_FERN]

Very difficult for me at least. Second appears to show a white tail base. I assume bald would show more white than this, suggesting it's an immature goldie. But I wouldn't bet the house on it.

 

[TKbird]

Very difficult for me at least. Second appears to show a white tail base. I assume bald would show more white than this, suggesting it's an immature goldie. But I wouldn't bet the house on it.

Good eye!

 

[Deb Burhinus]

It’s not identifiable. Immature Bald Eagles (2cy/3cy/4cy) show dark to increasingly white tail bases with terminal tail bands (while 1cy/2cy/3cy Golden show white to increasingly dark) so at some point in development overlap in this regard with imm Bald. Without a view of underparts and or head pattern, or at least clear wing shape, a definitive ID is not possible here.

 

[TKbird]

It’s not identifiable. Immature Bald Eagles (2cy/3cy/4cy) show dark to increasingly white tail bases with terminal tail bands (while 1cy/2cy/3cy Golden show white to increasingly dark) so at some point in development overlap in this regard with imm Bald. Without a view of underparts and or head pattern, or at least clear wing shape, a definitive ID is not possible here.

Thanks!!