Difference?? (1 Viewer)

[RHCP]

Hi all.
Can some one tell me the difference between an African fish eagle and an bald eagle??

Cheers.

 

[RHCP]

No one?

 

[Capercaillie71]

They are closely related (Bald - Haliaeetus leucocephalus, AFE-Haliaeetus vocifer) and both have a white head and a white tail. However the AFE has lighter brown underparts that contrast with its darker flight feathers, whereas the bald eagle is uniformly dark. The bald eagle is also considerably bigger. The best way of telling them apart though, is that if you are in North America it's a bald eagle and if you are in Africa it's an African Fish Eagle.

 

[Capercaillie71]

P.S. Welcome to Birdforum!

 

[RHCP]

Cheers, Just wanted to know cause I want an AFE tattooed on my back.

 

[Capercaillie71]

There are also some differences in beak size and colour and general build. Have alook at these images from the gallery:

African Fish Eagle:

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/75887/sort/1/cat/all/page/1

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/73993/sort/1/cat/all/page/1

Bald Eagle:

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/82780/sort/1/cat/all/page/1


http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/82665/sort/1/cat/all/page/1

 

[RHCP]

Thanks, you have been so helpful :t: