Bonelli's or Golden - Any help appreciated (1 Viewer)

[mtrevillion]

eBird app is stating Golden, I'm thinking Bonelli's...

 

[rosbifs]

I'm struggling to contradict you although it does have a hefty bill.... I've never seen Golden with such light trousers so you could well be right!

Can't see the location to know if there are other options in the area.

 

[Bewick]

I'm struggling to contradict you although it does have a hefty bill.... I've never seen Golden with such light trousers so you could well be right!

Can't see the location to know if there are other options in the area.

I was thinking Spanish imperial eagle for exactly that reason.

Edit- I have attached an image of an immature Spanish imperial eagle with a mixture of light (younger) and dark (more developed) feathering , suspect thats whats going on in this image. Raptors in August The image also shows the white shoulders, typical of Spanish imperials.

 

[la_ravachol]

Location would be key, but my feeling was Spanish too due to the white shoulders.

 

[fdokykcu]

I think also that Spanish Imperial is more likely (massive bill, white feathers). If the photo is from Iberia it will be difficult to use location to decide, as the two most probable species (Bonelli and Spanish Imperial) overlap widely. Is there any other photo, even in flight, landing, etc.? Given the stance, I guess more photos should be available

 

[Jinac]

Really noob for raptors but the dark throat isn't excluding the bonelli ?

 

[Bewick]

I think also that Spanish Imperial is more likely (massive bill, white feathers). If the photo is from Iberia it will be difficult to use location to decide, as the two most probable species (Bonelli and Spanish Imperial) overlap widely. Is there any other photo, even in flight, landing, etc.? Given the stance, I guess more photos should be available

I am confident that the bird in the photo is a Spanish imperial eagle, the bill is too hefty for a bonelli's... the golden nape and hind crown is typical of S.I.E's and the white on the shoulder is famously a S.P.E's feature. The main confusion is due to the birds light brown 'trousers' which can be explained by the bird being an immature individual with a mixture of young and later stage feathers.