mystery bird - huge, white, West Texas area (2 Viewers)

[Saint Sterling]

I just saw the biggest bird in my neighbor's tree. It's a 40' tree and the bird was so far away and so high in the tree that I couldn't get a decent photo, but perhaps the description will be enough to ID.

It was all white except for peppery spots of black/brown, even its head. [ETA: It was facing directly toward me though, so I couldn't see the back or wings.] It was definitely a bird of prey type o' bird as it had that classic eagle-y posture. Wingspan of at least 5 feet, easy.

The whole tree shook when it took flight and disturbed a bunch of nearby sparrows--who wasted no time in getting out of the way; I don't think they had known it was there--but the point is that the sparrows were only about as large as this bird's head.

I live in West Texas in an area with miles of trees, plains, farmland, and some decent ponds on all sides. I'll keep an eye on the window and try to get a pic if it returns.

Any ideas as to what it could have been?

 

[Mabel]

Possibly a Jabiru (Stork)

 

[AmpelisChinito]

It could have been an albino/pied Bald Eagle or California Condor, and if it is as big as you say, then it won't have many predators, if not than none, so an albino predator wouldn't have trouble with being eaten by other birds. It also could have been a rare visitor from Mexico, whose birds I am not familiar with. Good luck on getting a picture.

 

[ldsmith]

Possibly a Missippi Kite or maybe even a White-tailed Kite or the largest Kite, a Swallow-tail.

 

[Darrell Clegg]

It was all white except for peppery spots of black/brown, even its head. [ETA: It was facing directly toward me though, so I couldn't see the back or wings.] It was definitely a bird of prey type o' bird as it had that classic eagle-y posture. Wingspan of at least 5 feet, easy.

Surely the most likely option is pale phase Red-tailed Hawk or even Swainsons at a pinch!

Darrell