I could sure use some help on this one folks. This bird looks a lot like a Golden Eagle but I've also been told that it could be an Imperial Eagle. Shot this a couple days ago in Northern Arizona. It also has a radio transmitter sticking out of its back. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
My wife compared your photo to some images in an excellent Birding magazine article on Golden Eagles (June 2004, Vol. 36, No. 3), but no exact matches. It's not quite right for a typical immature bird, and has too much white for a grown bird.
I'd like to propose that this may be an immature Bald Eagle. Take a look at the picture of immature Bald Eagles halfway down this page at Cornell's excellent site:
Seems to match pretty closely to the underwing patterns on your bird. The cornell site continues: "Immature variably patterned with dark brown and white; takes five years to acquire full adult plumage. White not restricted to well defined areas, but appearing scattered throughout body, usually with brown mottling in same area. White in wings primarily in linings and not flight feathers. Bill and cere blackish gray. Eyes dark brown. Feet and lower legs yellow."
Thanks for the response Bill. You may very well be right. I did some searching myself but could not come up with anything conclusive. I'll keep searching and if I come up with anything I'll let you know.
