Golden or Immature Bald???

[Brian]

I've seen this eagle hanging around the hood a few times. It looks like a Golden to me. Especially considering it's size. It's HUGE. I've always thought of Bald Eagles as fishers. Considing I live out in the plains, I just assumed it's an Golden. But I suppose it could be an immature Bald as well. Not the best picture considering how backlit it was, but so cool to see.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Immature Bald eagle approaching adulthood. Fish are not the only food for baldies.

 

[AlanLichty]

Neat that the bird is just now getting it's characteristic white head feathers.

 

[Jeffrey]

 

[JimFox]

Hey Brian,

I am glad Ben ID'd it. I tried from Jeffrie's diagram, but I still couldn't tell for sure. Of course I have a totally untrained eye.

You got a really nice capture of it.

 

[Brian]

Hey Brian,

I am glad Ben ID'd it. I tried from Jeffrie's diagram, but I still couldn't tell for sure. Of course I have a totally untrained eye.

You got a really nice capture of it.

I've seen a ton of juvenile baldies at Barr lake, and thier heads were always more white as they matured. This one has darker colors for sure. That's why I was thinking in might be a young Golden.

 

[AlanLichty]

Look at the top of the tail rather than the head - on an immature golden eagle there should be white at the top of the tail feathers that will turn a darker color as they get older. The bottom images on the left in Jeffrey's cheat sheet shows this clearly (immature is on the far left). The eagle in the original post has a dark tail which is consistent with a juvenile bald eagle.

 

[Brian]

Look at the top of the tail rather than the head - on an immature golden eagle there should be white at the top of the tail feathers that will turn a darker color as they get older. The bottom images on the left in Jeffrey's cheat sheet shows this clearly (immature is on the far left). The eagle in the original post has a dark tail which is consistent with a juvenile bald eagle.

Thanks Alan. I appreciate it.

 

[Alisa]

Beautiful capture!

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Beautiful photo, Brian. I need a more detailed or larger photo to be sure. Post it to iNaturalist,org or send it to me, egofreed@gmail.com.
My first impression is Golden eagle. The obvious differences between Golden and Bald are pretty much hidden. The golden head, the hint of white at the base of the tail feathers, and the feathered legs make me think Golden eagle. The location would be helpful too.

 

[Brian]

Beautiful photo, Brian. I need a more detailed or larger photo to be sure. Post it to iNaturalist,org or send it to me, egofreed@gmail.com.
My first impression is Golden eagle. The obvious differences between Golden and Bald are pretty much hidden. The golden head, the hint of white at the base of the tail feathers, and the feathered legs make me think Golden eagle. The location would be helpful too.

I tend to agree with you Eric. But I'm certainly no expert. The fact it is backlit is certainly a problem, I will say that it certainly seems more golden in color at the head than most of the juvenile bald eagles I've shot (with my camera) at a local wildlife area. This is NE of Elizabeth Colorado out in the plains. I've seen a few Baldies out here, but this one just looks different. Not to mention the size. I'll send it to ya. Thanks for your help.