Thread
Print

[Hong Kong] Imperial Eagle or Steppe Eagle?

It's an Imperial Eagle, first winter. The last photo showing the underwing is actually very useful because you can see that this bird does not have the pale line of underwing greater coverts which are diagnostic of a young Steppe Eagle (http://orientalbirdimages.org/se ... Family_ID=&p=15).
I'm not sure what you mean when you mention the white shoulder mark. Young Imperials are overall buffish, as on this individual. Adults do have a pale mark on the shoulder, but these would also be darker overall and with a golden head. Compare adult and 1st winter birds on this photo: http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/view ... ;highlight=imperial

TOP

Adults do have white 'braces', which isn't shown so well on the link I sent before - compare this bird: http://orientalbirdimages.org/se ... e_ID=47828&p=38
But juvenile birds look different from adults and don't have white marks on the shoulder.

TOP

Thread