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I don't think this is an adult at all, the time of year is right for that crossover to adult plumage?

I didn't want to weigh in on this discussion as I'd have to be honest that I simply don't know what the bird in question is. For what it's worth, my initial impression was that it was an adult female Tawny Eagle but with all the subsequent discussion I'm just thoroughly confused.

Let me just say that I don't think this bird has a uniformly fully dark underwing as MattAxel says. I reckon this bird's underwing fits perfectly for a nice and dark female Tawny.

I'll see if I can make time tonight to study the pics in more detail but until then I don't think I'll offer any more of an opinion on the ID than just this.

Hey Daan,

I double checked quickly in 3 references now. Sasol e-Birds and Sasol voels van Suider-Afrika states the feint barring on the tail of a Tawny, whilst Newman's states that there is no barring. So obviously some confusion there.

To me the gape is the key. And if I am looking correctly the gape to me seems to extend only to below the middle of the eye and the rest is a fake gape.

Thanks Deefstes, again very valuable input from you.

Come on Trevor, see you are lurking around! Add your input to that of the other knowledgeable ones here.

Oh, I'm sure we can help you out there.
Look at the first two pictures here:
http://www.hardaker.co.za/tawnyeagle1.htm

And almost all the pictures here:
http://www.thejunglelook.com/info/bird-info/tawny-eagle

Barring on the flight feathers and tail is actually fairly common on Tawny Eagle, especially on the darker birds. Tawny could possibly be the one species of Aquila with the greatest amount of variance in its plumage and its causing lots of problems as field guides simply can't deal with ALL of the plumages.

I'm still reserving judgement on the bird being discussed, just wanted to point out that the barring and the dark underwings are not enough to rule out Tawny. Lizet has a better appreciation for salient structural features than I do so I really can't comment on the thickness of the neck etc.

Yes looking at the 2nd picture again where Lizet lightened it up, I'll actually have to agree with you here.

These large brown eagles are never easy and, unfortunately, many of our field guides make them sound a lot easier to identify than what they actually are! You cannot simplify the identification of these tricky species – there are a combination of features that need to be considered, rather than just singling out one particular feature.

Unfortunately, a number of our local field guides, and even some of the raptor-specific guides, have continued to spew out the same nonsense over the years about certain features which are supposedly diagnostic when it comes to identifying certain species. Suffice it to say that all the features that have been mentioned in this discussion already like the length of the gape and it’s end position relative to where the eye is as well as the barring or lack thereof on the flight feathers and tail are not foolproof and there is considerable overlap between Tawny and Steppe Eagles.

DD, you have posted an intriguing bird here and I would like to see more photos of it before committing to any ID on it. Please could you email me some high res pics of the bird to look at – preferably if you have shots showing it from different angles (and perhaps something showing some of the upperparts), those would be immensely useful. With some birds, it is straightforward to ID them from a single photo, but with others, I prefer to take the conservative approach and rather ask for more photos before rattling off a seemingly confident identification and throwing my name away when further photos of the bird come to light and clearly show that I was incorrect…

Knowing him I bet you he has only taken this one photo.

Shut up

Thanks Deefstes, WTM and Trevor.. once again.. this bird continues to be very intriguing indeed, and whether it turns out to be a Tawny, Steppe or Daan's Eagle.. is irrelevant. This is one heck of learning curve and I am enjoying it immensely.

Trevor I will email you some different angles, and I will also post them up on the forum for the debate to perhaps continue

Zelda must have had the camera in her hands then!

She did yes.. pregnant belly and all hanging out the window to get some shots in

Here are three more pics.. I lightened them up a bit too

Also starting to wonder about the Tawny Eagle now..but like I said before.. big eagle this, Zelda even confirmed it last night that she too thought it was a big one.

Colouration and plumage variation is such a pain as Trevor said



IMG_8776 by DvdBergh, on Flickr


IMG_8775 by DvdBergh, on Flickr


IMG_8772 by DvdBergh, on Flickr

The light-coloured, which I think I see in the first photo, would also rule out Steppe Eagle. Why didn't you post that photo first DD? Trying to fabricate a spoof Steppe Eagle out of this Tawny?

I also think the second photo shows that the gape only extends to below the middle of the eye. Dunno what is behind the gape that extends well (too far past the eye in any case for a gape) behind the eye. But it sure can fool someone!

Give us a crop of the face on the first photo please.

Geez man.. give me a moment to eat my tuna.. blerry hell man!!

My flickr is full I need to delete stuff



I really don't know why I am still friends with you

Jokes aside.. and even though I haaaate to admit this.. I think you might be right. I lightened up the living daylights out of them and it seems to have a Tawny like colouration doesn't it?

I did post a close up of the gape a page or two back.