Eagle ID please

[Soukous]

I'd appreciate some assistance with identification of this eagle.

 

I am sure I noted it down as a Hawk Eagle when I took the shot.

 

Then, when I posted it, I'd had a better look and said I thought it was a Tawny Eagle.

 

@@Sverker thinks it is a Wahlberg's Eagle.

 

 

 

 

[madaboutcheetah]

Tawny

[Safaridude]

This is a real tough one...

 

between a "pale morph" Wahlberg's eagle and a "pale morph" juvenile tawny eagle.

 

It's these juveniles that throw you off. If you have a side view, you might be able to tell, because wahlberg's have long tails and "cresty" heads.

[Soukous]

 

side view (sort of) as requested

[Sverker]

Coloration - Tawny.

Dark eye - Wahlberg´s.

Smallish bill and longish tail - Wahlberg´s.

 

 

Robert´s says that Steppe and Wahlberg´s do not have the tawny color.

(what is "tawny" anyway? light brown - reddish or what?)

 

Maybe it is a hybrid? :-)

[Safaridude]

Most likely a juvenile tawny. Juvenile tawnys have dark eyes, and as they age, the eyes turn pale yellow.

 

The head shape is the diagnostic here, I would say.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Safaridude

[Sverker]

The iris color changes with age in Golden Eagle, I just found out, and I already know the same happens with White-tailed Eagle.

And @@Safaridude tells us this happens with Tawny Eagle.

 

So it is really a Tawny Eagle, juvenile or at least not an adult.

[Soukous]

yay! more by luck than good judgement I got it right then.

 

Thanks @@Sverker & @@Safaridude for the expert assistance.

[inyathi]

It looks like you’ve already got the answer and I wasn’t absolutely sure but Wahlberg’s is also a good bit smaller and slimmer than a tawny not much bigger than a black kite.

[armchair bushman]

Wahlberg's also doesn't have as heavy a bill as this does.

 

Also the Pale Morph Wahlberg's Eagles I've seen are MUCH paler than this. Almost off-white. So a Wahlberg's would either be a fair bit darker or a fair bit lighter.

Wahlberg's also have more of a squared-off head at the back with a tiny little crest.