Troutsqueezer Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Our bird group spotted these two eagles a few days ago in Lincoln, CA. There are arguments as to whether they are gold or bald eagles. Posted on Facebook Birders page, it seems golden eagle wins the contest at six-to-one with some convincing arguments but, the local expert here and a few others are convinced they are immature balds. We would like to see what the folks on this forum think so that we may catalogue this sighting in our record book. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageGrouse Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Imm. Bald eagles; massive beak and mottled white on wings and body. Imm Golden's only have a a white spot on the wrist and a white band on the tail, no white on the head or back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutsqueezer Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share Posted June 24, 2019 I suppose it's what makes bird watching so interesting with both sides presenting convincing arguments (Birders Facebook page presenting other opinions). Thanks for the input! I need to do some research. I wanted it to be golden eagles but can't let that get in the way of a decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 These look like Golden to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee_ keeper Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 The bird featured prominently in the first photo looks like a Golden; I would say near-adult or older immature. The rufous undertail coverts would be the clincher here for me. Young baldies also have their whitish mottling more concentrated at the wingpit area. The perched bird is the same bird, or different? It does show a really massive beak that looks almost a little weird. The eye color should be darker for a baldie that young and it looks like a yellowish cere, dark tail, tawny wingbars... I would still say Golden for this photo too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urban snipe Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 looks like a golden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Post to this group... https://www.facebook.com/groups/1387877288186021/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearcat6 Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Immature Bald Eagle Juvenile Bald Eagle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Friedman Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 I'm hoping for Bald. Big bill, head + bill bigger in comparison to tail than Golden would have, pale mottling on the wing linings (immature Golden has white on the bases of some or all flight feathers), more pale on the tail than immature Golden would have (I think), no gold nape on the perched bird, and the tarsi look bare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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