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Ryan Brady | all galleries >> Wisconsin (mostly older stuff) >> Birds >> Ashland Rarities >> Raptors >> Golden Eagles > Golden Eagle (sub I or juv)
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Golden Eagle (sub I or juv)

Ashland, Ashland County, 17 March 2006
Composite of two digiscoped images of same bird. Digiscoping raptors in flight is tough so I'll take anything I can get. Not sure about this bird's age -- either sub-adult I or juvenile.


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Ryan Brady19-Mar-2007 04:33
Thanks for the comments, Seth. Unfortunately, the amount of white in the wings is not a reliable feature for aging Goldens because juveniles can show extensive white wing patches or sometimes none at all. Also, juveniles can show pale upperwing coverts during the spring months because the feathers have faded and worn since the previous summer (whereas they are dark and fresh in fall). I believe the tail pattern from below on sub-adult I and juvenile birds is virtually indistinguishable in many cases as well. Because these two age groups can appear so similar in the field, especially in spring, I'm hesitant to force age assessment here based on these very sub-par photos. But thanks for the interest!
Seth Cutright 18-Mar-2007 16:45
Nice Photos, Looks like a 2nd year bird...with out looking in the books...but I don't think Juvs. have that golden markings on the upper-wings like that bird has. Or that much of it at any rate. Also 1st years have a bold white "window" in the primaries that can be seen well. This bird at least from the photos does not show off the white as much. It is not as bold and does not stand off as much. Same with the underside of the tail the white does not stand off as much as I think it should for a 1st year...So this bird I think could be a 2nd year...of if it can happen, between 1st and 2nd year....