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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
        
(Message started by: Neil on Oct 18^th, 2005, 8:48pm)

Title: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Neil on Oct 18^th, 2005, 8:48pm

I saw two raptors come down in the grass at the same time this afternoon.  One had a white streak down the back of the neck (see photo ) and the other had a white patch on it's rump but no white around the head.  They were only about 10 meters apart and looked about the same size.  Is this one the Imperial Eagle that hangs out around Pond 20 every year?

18th, October,2005
MPNR,
Hong Kong,China.

Olympus 7070wz plus Swarovski ATS80HD scope and 20-60x eyepiece.

http://www.pbase.com/neilfif11/image/50923143.jpg

Title: Re: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Anguslau on Oct 18^th, 2005, 10:31pm

Neil,

Comparing with other images I had, this looks more like a buzzard to me. I am no expert in raptors though. So I could well be wrong... :P

Sample image of a Common Buzzard
http://www.pbase.com/anguslau/image/37768464.jpg

Sample image of a juvenile Imperial Eagle
http://www.pbase.com/anguslau/image/36641029.jpg

Sample image of an adult Imperial Eagle
http://www.pbase.com/anguslau/image/36647748.jpg

Title: Re: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Neil on Oct 18^th, 2005, 10:52pm

Here is the rear view.Neil.

http://www.pbase.com/neilfif11/image/50928221.jpg

Title: Re: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Mike Kilburn on Oct 18^th, 2005, 11:36pm

This is a Harrier, most likely a female Eastern Marsh.

If you look at the bill, and also the shape of head and neck - Neil 's pic shows a small rounded head on a longer and wider neck, while the Imperial has a big sqaurish head on a shorter thick neck - and compare it to the pix of imperial the difference should be clear.

Angus'pic of Buzzard is also helpful - Buzzard is a similar size to the eagel, but more compact and shorter necked than the harriers.

Cheers
Mike K

Title: Re: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Forrest FONG on Oct 18^th, 2005, 11:57pm

Dear BBS members,

Please be reminded that the "SEARCH (http://www.hkbws.org.hk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=BirdingTips;action=search)" function at the top banner can help finding out previous photos posted into the BBS which are good reference for Id most of HK birds. :o

Regards,

Forrest 8)

Title: Re: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Neil on Oct 19^th, 2005, 6:24am

Thanks Mike for your good comments as usual. Would the other bird with the white on the rump be a male.Neil.

Title: Re: Imperial Eagle at MPNR ?
Post by Mike Kilburn on Oct 22^nd, 2005, 12:01am

Unfortunately its not as simple as that.

Both the harriers in HK can show some white on the rump.

Male Pied Harrier is a stikingly black and white bird, while male Eastern Marsh Harriers (adults at least) are pretty rare in HK, but also have a black head a paler grey wings.

As other comments on harriers have indicated, it can be very difficult seperate some birds.

But learning the structure of Eastern Marsh - (broad-winged and heavier) from Pied (more slender and slimmer-bodied) is a good place to start.

I do not know enough to go into the various plumage details - and will leave this for others to comment.

Cheers
Mike K