Golden Eagles ???

[chillijack]

Hi everybody...

I spotted these in the Abbotsford area today...

www.flickr.com/photos/chillijack/3315108704/

and:

www.flickr.com/photos/chillijack/3314285537/

We (obviously) have a lot of Baldies in the area, but these were sooooooooooooooooooooo big that I thought that they might be migrating Goldies

Thoughts

Thanks...

Rick...

[Gord]

Hi and welcome, Rick!

Those are juvenile Bald Eagles. Size between Bald and Golden Eagles is not really apparent but how they hold their wings and the shape of the wings can be a bit of a clue.

The huge amount of white on those bird's wings and body are good for young Bald Eagles. A juvenile Golden Eagle would have limited white and restricted to the base of the primaries and on a band on the upper tail. Of course the golden wash is diagnostic when they are close enough to view.Terri got a great shot of one earlier this winter.

www.bcbirding.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=1854

We get a few Golden Eagles around the area but they are quite uncommon and prefer more quiet areas. They breed up on Cheam Ridge and usually can be spotted up there on hikes.

More information can be found on the old website.

www2.webng.com/FVBirding/FVB/Species/GOEA/index.htm

Hope this helps
Gord
Chilliwack

[chillijack]

Thanks for your input and help Gord...

Appreciate it...

Rick...