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We were in KNP on the 8th of September 2012 and was driving along the H3 from Malelane at about 10:00 when we saw this raptor. I most probably ID it incorrect as a Wahlberg's Eagle and would like a positive ID from our experts if possible.

It looks like a female tawny eagle to me.

Thanks Adrianp!! Will rectify my TR accordingly

Help please. Seen at Renosterpan in September.

Looked like a PCG...but tiny...the size of a love bird (or little bigger)

It's a Lizard Buzzard

Hi RichardJ.

Probably not the size of a love bird more like a pigeon but definitely a Lizard Buzzard! Nice sighting....

Hi

I am a newbie to the world of birding so I have no clue what I was looking at half the time, I tried googling but so many of these Raptors look so similar it's hard for me to try figure out which is which. Really hoping the experts an help here. I don't have the best lense I'm afraid so all my pics are zooms of the actual image but I hope there is enough detail that you can see what you need to to ID. Thank you.

He was lovely to watch.
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/9ega8yja.jpg[/img]

I think this may have been a mating couple but again I have no clue, however this was amazing to watch and hubby filmed it while I snapped.
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/zu5e6uru.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/amu9eve9.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/da8ejy5u.jpg[/img]

Beautiful
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/yty2abeg.jpg[/img]

This chap has me totally confused cause I thought it was a owl of some sort (first pic) then he turned his head and I saw that beak.. Now I have no clue? Is it a vulture of some sort?
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/7u7avugu.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/10/e2epa9un.jpg[/img]

Thank you in advance for help.

Hi Trentonskeeper. I cannot see your images; I wonder if others can?

Hi Trentonskeeper

Your first bird is a Wahlberg's Eagle, the pair that are mating are Tawny Eagles, the next one is an African Hawk-Eagle, and the last one is a juvenile Bateleur.

Thanks MattAxel and Ferdelance the species is new to me.

Matt thank you very much for the ID help, I was thinking those first 3 were maybe one in the same bird at different ages but I am chuffed I got 3 different birds there. I have to say I am off to google them now and learn more, maybe on our next trip I can I'd them myself.

I have another question if I may, as I mentioned I have only recently found out how much I enjoy looking at birds (much to my own surprise, since I was never a huge bird fan) so I was wondering if there is something I am missing, I have 2 pics (HQ) of the Wahlberg and Tawny Eagles up now and I am looking at them thinking "what the heck it's the same bird". What should I be seeing that indicates they are not? Not sure I will get the hang of this if I can't see differences lol

They both have yellow beaks, yellow feel, can be slightly specked, similar colored feathers. Is it a size thing? Cause that is the only thing I can think of that I am missing cause the pics I have I can't really judge size on.

Thank you.

Hi there

Always good to see someone new get interested in birding. I am sure the more you learn and the more you get out there and see new birds the more the bug will bite

The very first thing is to invest in a proper field guide such as the Roberts 7 or Sasol birds of Southern Africa. They are even available on iTunes and Android market.

The best method of learning, and I will stick with this, is to physically get out there and go and look at birds with someone who is fairly experienced. This is the best method to pick up the various methods, tricks and generall tips on how to make an ID on a bird.

There are various factors to take into account when it comes to big brown Eagle's. If you have a field guide you need to factor in various things such as size, which you mentioned, colouration, habitat, range/distribution and whether the bird is a migrant or local

Wahlberg Eagle's are definitely smaller than Tawny Eagle's. Wahlberg Eagle's are summer migrants to SA so if you perhaps saw a big brown eagle in July, then most probably a Tawny. This is all just an example of what to look for etc. There are other things such as colour variation too and general look and feel of the bird.
There is a general term in the birding world called "giss" or "gizz" or whatever but this is the term used to described when you have gathered enough experience or knowledge of birds that when you see for example a big brown eagle the overall look and stance etc of the bird immediately screams a certain ID inside your head.

Birding is a fantastic, fulfilling, relaxing hobby that takes time to get good at. Like any other hobby you need to practice, you need to get out there, get a book, take some photo's even if it is in your neighbourhood because you will be surprised at how many species live on your doorstep.

Post your questions here as there are some great birders with a lot of experience and knowledge on this forum that can help you get better and enjoy the hobby

African hawk eagles are not that common in Kruger, and are a great sighting. They are handsome birds.

Don't worry Trentonskeeper, raptors, especially juveniles give a lot of us the run-around.

The main thing for differentiating Tawny and Wahlberg's is experience (like DotDan says). Once you have seen quite a few of both it becomes quite easy to separate them. Some distinguishing factors, are that Wahlberg's is noticeably smaller than Tawny, sits with a much more upright stance, usually shows a bit of a crest and has a shorter gape. Then there are also things like nostril shape to separate big brown eagles, but you don't need to get to that just yet.