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--047d7b2e4edea804f20504ec2ad0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Todd Watts <fishbird@xplornet.ca> Date: Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 1:44 PM Subject: Golden Eagle Identification To: NATURENB@listserv.unb.ca This is a time of year when a lucky person might see a migrating Golden Eagle. Since there are common misconceptions about their identification, I will provide some tips. The following notes could help to avoid confusing this rare visiter with its distant relative the Bald Eagle. (1) Golden Eagle identification cannot be based on size. Overlaps in size between Bald and Golden Eagles are significant(check field guides and you will see that the size ranges of their body lengths and wingspans are nearly identical). Because of this, size cannot be used to tell eagles apart. The fact that females can be larger than males and northern birds tend to be larger than southern birds makes IDing eagles by size even more problematic. (2)) Golden Eagles are more closely related to buteos than fish eagles such as North America's Bald Eagle. Thus, wing shape of a Golden is likely to appear more buteo like (look for bulging secondaries). (3) Tail length on a Golden is proportionately longer and head size is comparatively smaller than Bald Eagles. (4) Immatures of both species can show significant white on the under-wing. However, this is limited to inner primaries as well as the secondaries on immature Goldens. Immature Balds can show white on the under-wing coverts, flight feathers as well as the body. The amount and location is variable depending on age as well as the individual (for both species). Tail patterns on immature birds can appear similar, although there are significant differences. (5) Noting manner of flight can aid in identification of both eagles. (6) Golden Eagles are late migrants. In Southeastern Canada and the eastern states they are most likely to be seen in October, November and December. Early spring sightings are also possible. Todd Watts Bocabec, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html -- James Churchill Kentville, Nova Scotia jameslchurchill@gmail.com (902) 681-2374 --047d7b2e4edea804f20504ec2ad0 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr"><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded messag= e ----------<br>From: <b class=3D"gmail_sendername">Todd Watts</b> <span di= r=3D"ltr"><<a href=3D"mailto:fishbird@xplornet.ca">fishbird@xplornet.ca<= /a>></span><br>Date: Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 1:44 PM<br>Subject: Golden Eagl= e Identification<br>To: <a href=3D"mailto:NATURENB@listserv.unb.ca">NATUREN= B@listserv.unb.ca</a><br><br><br>This is a time of year when a lucky person= might see a migrating Golden Eagle. Since there are common misconceptions = about their identification, I will provide some tips. The following notes c= ould help to avoid confusing this rare visiter with its distant relative th= e Bald Eagle.<br> <br> <br> (1) Golden Eagle identification cannot be based on size. Overlaps in size b= etween Bald and Golden Eagles are significant(check field guides and you wi= ll see that the size ranges of their body lengths and wingspans are nearly = identical). Because of this, size cannot be used to tell eagles apart. The = fact that females can be larger than males and northern birds tend to be la= rger than southern birds makes IDing eagles by size even more problematic.<= br> <br> (2)) Golden Eagles are more closely related to buteos than fish eagles such= as North America's Bald Eagle. Thus, wing shape of a Golden is likely = to appear more buteo like (look for bulging secondaries).<br> <br> (3) Tail length on a Golden is proportionately longer and head size is comp= aratively smaller than Bald Eagles.<br> <br> (4) Immatures of both species can show significant white on the under-wing.= However, this is limited to inner primaries as well as the secondaries on = immature Goldens. Immature Balds can show white on the=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 = =A0 =A0 under-wing coverts, flight feathers as well as the body. The amount= and location is variable depending on age as well as the individual (for b= oth species). Tail patterns on immature birds can appear similar, although = there are significant differences.<br> <br> (5) Noting manner of flight can aid in identification of both eagles.<br> <br> (6) Golden Eagles are late migrants. In Southeastern Canada and the eastern= states they are most likely to be seen in October, November and December. = Early spring sightings are also possible.<br> <br> <br> Todd Watts<br> Bocabec, NB<br> <br> <br> NatureNB guidelines=A0 <a href=3D"http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html= " target=3D"_blank">http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html</a><br> Foire aux questions de NatureNB=A0 <a href=3D"http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/marys= pt/nnbf.html" target=3D"_blank">http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html</= a><br> </div><br><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir=3D"ltr">James Ch= urchill<br>Kentville, Nova Scotia<br><a href=3D"mailto:jameslchurchill@gmai= l.com" target=3D"_blank">jameslchurchill@gmail.com</a><br>(902) 681-2374<br= ><br><br><br></div> </div> --047d7b2e4edea804f20504ec2ad0--
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