I know this is almost silhouetted against the mountainside, but I was out shooting yesterday with just my Sony H2 and of course, I encountered a couple of GBH, and thankfully, my first recent sighting of a bald eagle at a local lake in a few weeks--even though it was mostly out of my camera's reach. I got a couple of images toward the end of a long shoot that I'm not 100% sure about, this being one. I will post one other. I believe judging by the shape of the head, etc. this is an eagle. Can anyone confirm by this??
so much for my theory!! hmmm, not sure about a crow though.
Posted by Brian Gatlin on June 16, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Bill,
Jake's right about this being a raven. notice the long dark raven bill (not a raptor bill, even though BAEAs do have large bills for raptors). also the proportions of the bird are exactly those of a raven. an eagle would have much longer wings. Finally, as shadowed as the bird is, if it were an immature bald eagle, you'd still be able to see some pale feathering on the underside.
OK Brian and Jake, I guess my main thing is thinking that it may be a crow. Any other possibles, this is the northeast part of PA and was just taken yesterday?? Or are you saying it is a crow for sure? They are all over the place here, but I didn't think this to be one.
Part II. This is a pretty weak shot coming right at me... at first I thought it was the BAE that was circling... there is an immature one here, but there are also occasional Osprey around. Any thoughts??
Posted by Brian Gatlin on June 16, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Bill it's a raven or a crow for sure. no doubt about it. looking closely, I overstated the certainty of it being a raven as opposed to a crow. don't know what would be more expected where you are.
The first bird is likely an American Crow. The bill, while large, isn't heavy enough fora Common Raven, and the tail is round, rather than wedge-shaped.
Important tip for folks asking for a bird ID: tell us where the photo was taken. Bird species have ranges, and it's an important consideration in attempting an ID.
I agree. The first looks like a crow. One of my favorite birds so I watch them a lot. I've never seen a raven but I think their bills are heavier. The second is very much an osprey. We've have tons of them here in south Florida. They have a lot of varying color patterns but the females have a dark band on their chests and the males chests are all white.
Discussion
9 repliesJake's right about this being a raven. notice the long dark raven bill (not a raptor bill, even though BAEAs do have large bills for raptors). also the proportions of the bird are exactly those of a raven. an eagle would have much longer wings. Finally, as shadowed as the bird is, if it were an immature bald eagle, you'd still be able to see some pale feathering on the underside.
Part II. This is a pretty weak shot coming right at me... at first I thought it was the BAE that was circling... there is an immature one here, but there are also occasional Osprey around. Any thoughts??
part 2 is an osprey.
Glad to hear you confirm the osprey is now frequenting this lake w/ several GBHs, two eagles and many duck varieties!
Important tip for folks asking for a bird ID: tell us where the photo was taken. Bird species have ranges, and it's an important consideration in attempting an ID.