Buzzards or Eagles?

[Quilt Lady]

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

... if you can tell the difference by the shape and spread of the wings? I wonder if the vulture spreads the tips of it's wings more, or does the tips of it's wings bend up more than the eagles? I wonder if the tail feathers are spread broader?

If you watch the birds while they are soaring, you can tell if it is an eagle or a turkey vulture. The wings of an eagle will appear flat. The wings of a vulture will be at an angle, commonly referred to as a "dihedral". Differentiating a golden eagle from a young bald eagle is more difficult. Bald eagles don't get their distinctive colors until they are four years old.