Though I’m not truly a “Birder”, in the sense that I really don’t spend time and effort bird chasing, and only really care about the birds I can see without going out of my way, one of the birds I’d really like to see is a Golden Eagle. They migrate through the area every spring and fall so its entirely possible that I could, but I’ve never had the time/energy to go “chase” reports to go see one.
Back on Monday a local birder reported (report still listed as un-confirmed on eBird.org which, btw, is an awesome resource for what birds to keep an eye out for in your area if you’re interested in that sort of thing) a juvenile Golden Eagle at a location not far from me, and infact, not even that far out of my normal path for errands. So Tuesday I made a point of modifying my usual errand run to run by that area twice.
This is the description in the report from Monday:
First seen perched in a tree facing me & at some distance & through falling light snow. Appeared all dark with pale greyish bill. Feathered head ie not a vulture. Then seen flying with dihedral. Bicolor underwing pattern reminiscent of a Turkey Vulture. Pale feather colors probably accentuated because bird was flying over snow-covered ground. Prominent white in tail with dark terminal band. No white in head. Black & white pattern typical of juvenile Golden eagle but the opposite of a juvenile Bald eagle.
After checking the listed descriptions and pictures of young Goldens I decided it was possible that he really had seen a Golden, which made it worth my time. And sure enough, on my way out I spotted this stunning bird that matches the description perfectly.
There’s just one teensy little problem…..thats not a young Golden Eagle.
That is a “dark morph” Rough Legged Hawk.
Stunning bird, very distinctive and eye catching. But not an eagle.
*sigh*
We’ve got at least one “light morph” Rough Legged Hawk hanging around the area too though, very cool!