In flight, Turkey Vultures hold their wings up at an angle, rather than spread out level with their body. These vultures are smaller, however, with noticeably smaller heads. Turkey Vultures: Turkey Vultures are large, dark birds of prey that can be confused with juvenile Bald Eagles. Adult Red-Tailed Hawks also have a reddish tail, a pale belly with a darker belly band, and characteristic dark patagial marks on the front edges of their wings. They are much smaller than Bald Eagles, however, and have broader wings with smaller primary feathers. Red-Tailed Hawk: The Red-Tailed Hawk is a common and widespread raptor that can be confused from a distance. Unique to North America, the bald eagle is the continent’s most recognizable aerial predator, with a shocking white head, electric yellow beak and penetrating eyes. Even juvenile Ospreys have a dark back and white underparts, with whitish legs and feet. These large hawks differ from juvenile Bald Eagles in that their plumage is markedly dark and white. Osprey: Ospreys are a common hawk of rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Birdwatchers should attempt to rule out the following species to confirm their identification. The phrase eagle eye, for example, is used to describe someone who is astute and has a. Golden Eagles are not the only birds that can be confused with juvenile Bald Eagles. Since 1782, the American eagle, or the bald eagle, has been the national bird of the United States. Other species that look similar to juvenile Bald Eagles Juvenile Bald Eagles also have a white on the underside of their tails, although it tends to be mixed with darker plumage, resulting in a weakly defined band. The white patch on the tail of a young Golden Eagle is also much clearer and contrasts strongly with a dark terminal band. These areas of white feathers are roughly defined, unlike the neat white wing patches of a young Golden Eagle that are located further towards the wing tip. Birders should also take note of the position of any white underside plumage on a flying eagle.įirst-year Bald Eagles have white wing feathers on either side of their body in the ‘arm-pit’ area. White belly feathers are usually absent on first-year Bald Eagles too but can be quite prominent on older immature birds. The belly of a perched bird should also be inspected for any signs of white plumage, which will be absent on Golden Eagles. This can be very useful for telling the two species apart when perched. One of the defining features of the Golden Eagle is the golden/blonde color on the nape of their necks. Read on to learn where and what to look for when distinguishing between Golden Eagles and juvenile Bald Eagles. The two raptors don’t usually occupy the same habitats, but where their territories overlap, there are some important physical differences between these two large eagles. The Golden Eagle is the species most easily confused with the juvenile Bald Eagle. How do you tell the difference between a juvenile Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle?
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