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Old 07-02-2014, 09:31 PM   #12
ApS
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Question We Have Golden Eagles at Winnipesaukee, Too...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rangervx View Post
hope this works...first time with pic attached...
One day before your photo, I had a really good look at your young Bald Eagle flying close—directly overhead. Then I reflected how easy it is to confuse the heavier Eagle cousin, the Golden Eagle. I managed to turn up a really good site, which seems to have such identifications made for certain.

http://www.hancockwildlife.org/forum...owtopic=132018

(Photo from that web page below).

Keeping in mind that Juvenile Bald Eagles are dappled with white feathers, those same feather gradually fall out in a random fashion. (Whereas, the Golden juvenile's white body feathers have a symmetrical appearance). A few pointers from the above link:

1) The Golden juvenile would never have white feathers on its head.

2) Seen from underneath, one sure identifier is that the Golden Eagle has feathers all the way down to its "feet". (Tarsi, or toes).

3) The Bald Eagle has no feathers about 1½ inches up from its "feet".

Last season, in the area close-by The Basin, I pointed out an Eagle flying over groups of rafters—not once, but twice! All appreciated the Eagle flying just a few feet above—and in between—perhaps 20 rafters in four boats.



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