Nature Golden Eagle?

Golden Eagle? · 06:36 PM

I was driving along and spotted this guy in a tree. I thought it was a Redtail Hawk. I was looking at my camera while he flew away and I didn't see him go. When I downloaded the photos I did get, I realized that it wasn't a hawk. Is this a Golden Eagle? I know there are some members out there who are particularly adept at identification. Sorry the shots I did get are not that great.
Robert

**MSL** · 05-24-2012, 06:41 PM

Can't help you with the ID, but for a chance happening you did very well.

pete-tarmigan · 05-25-2012, 05:20 AM

It's definitely a rufous morph of a Buteo (called 'hawk' in North America along with Accipiter, 'buzzard' in Europe). However, without seeing the tail or the spread wings I can't tell whether it's a B. jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk) or a B. swainsoni (Swainson's Hawk). The relatively large head/bill give me the gut feeling it's a Red-tail. Both species occur in Alberta. The rufous and dark morphs of both of these species are common west of Saskatchewan. Golden Eagle is not rufous in any plumage.

**rkappleby** · 05-25-2012, 09:42 PM

Well Pete-tarmigan you really are da man when it comes to bird id. I did not know that a Red Tail hawk came in all these different morphs. I was just expecting what I guess is a pale morph and the "rufous" colouring threw me off. I learned some interesting things about hawks with this little exercise. Thanks for your information here Pete
Robert

littledrawe · 05-26-2012, 04:04 PM

I would say it is a rough legged hawk or Swainsons hawk based on other birds that I have encountered.

pete-tarmigan · 05-27-2012, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by littledrawe

I would say it is a rough legged hawk or Swainsons hawk based on other birds that I have encountered.

Rough-legged Hawk has no rufous morph and its tarsometatarsus (the part of the leg between the toes and the heel [first joint]) is feathered. This bird has unfeathered tarsi. Rough-legs should have left for northern breeding grounds by this date.

daacon · 05-27-2012, 05:12 PM

Great captures and peter is da man on classification for sure.

**rkappleby** · 05-27-2012, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by littledrawe

legged

Pete thinks it is either the Swainson's or the Red Tail - I know for certain that its not a chicken

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

Rough-legged Hawk has no rufous morph and its tarsometatarsus

What Pete says!!!

Originally posted by daacon

Great captures and peter is da man on classification for sure.

Dave I get I kick out of using these old takumar lenses on these wonderful new cameras. That being said I have seen some of the results you are getting with that 60-250 and I starting to turn a little green.
Thanks for the comments all
Robert

8540tomg · 05-28-2012, 04:23 AM

Whatever it may be its nice to see.

Thanks for sharing.

Tom G

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05-25-2012, 05:20 AM	#3
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	It's definitely a rufous morph of a Buteo (called 'hawk' in North America along with Accipiter, 'buzzard' in Europe). However, without seeing the tail or the spread wings I can't tell whether it's a B. jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk) or a B. swainsoni (Swainson's Hawk). The relatively large head/bill give me the gut feeling it's a Red-tail. Both species occur in Alberta. The rufous and dark morphs of both of these species are common west of Saskatchewan. Golden Eagle is not rufous in any plumage. Last edited by pete-tarmigan; 05-25-2012 at 09:48 AM. Reason: fix typo

05-27-2012, 03:26 PM	#6
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by littledrawe I would say it is a rough legged hawk or Swainsons hawk based on other birds that I have encountered. Rough-legged Hawk has no rufous morph and its tarsometatarsus (the part of the leg between the toes and the heel [first joint]) is feathered. This bird has unfeathered tarsi. Rough-legs should have left for northern breeding grounds by this date. Last edited by pete-tarmigan; 05-27-2012 at 03:34 PM. Reason: error

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05-24-2012, 06:41 PM	#2
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Can't help you with the ID, but for a chance happening you did very well.

05-25-2012, 09:42 PM	#4
rkappleby Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Crowsnest Pass Alberta Posts: 648 Original Poster	Well Pete-tarmigan you really are da man when it comes to bird id. I did not know that a Red Tail hawk came in all these different morphs. I was just expecting what I guess is a pale morph and the "rufous" colouring threw me off. I learned some interesting things about hawks with this little exercise. Thanks for your information here Pete Robert

05-26-2012, 04:04 PM	#5
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	I would say it is a rough legged hawk or Swainsons hawk based on other birds that I have encountered.

05-27-2012, 05:12 PM	#7
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Great captures and peter is da man on classification for sure.

05-27-2012, 07:14 PM	#8
rkappleby Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Crowsnest Pass Alberta Posts: 648 Original Poster	Originally posted by littledrawe legged Pete thinks it is either the Swainson's or the Red Tail - I know for certain that its not a chicken Originally posted by pete-tarmigan Rough-legged Hawk has no rufous morph and its tarsometatarsus What Pete says!!! Originally posted by daacon Great captures and peter is da man on classification for sure. Dave I get I kick out of using these old takumar lenses on these wonderful new cameras. That being said I have seen some of the results you are getting with that 60-250 and I starting to turn a little green. Thanks for the comments all Robert

05-28-2012, 04:23 AM	#9
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Whatever it may be its nice to see. Thanks for sharing. Tom G

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