Golden Eagle, Big Cypress

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Posted by Mark Faherty on 16:28:43 02/16/06

I had a long study of an immature Golden Eagle in flight yesterday while doing field work down by Gum Slough, which is about 3 miles south of the Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve. Given that (1) this is south Florida, and (2) this is SOUTH FLORIDA, I took great pains to rule out some weird intermediate Bald Eagle plumage.

I noted the following: all dark brown above with noticably paler "hackles". Basal 2/3 or more of the tail were pure white with crisp line between the white and the dark terminal band (above and below). Small white patches at the base of the inner primaries on the underwings. NO white on axillaries, underwing coverts, or belly at all.

Gum Slough is virtually inaccessible to folks without an ATV and a permit, but the bird was heading east pretty high when I last saw it. Keep an eye out at Shark Valley and points eastward for any odd looking eagles.

Mark Faherty
Homestead

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Awesome find Mark! - Rock Jetty 22:13:42 02/16/06 (0)

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Comments:	: I had a long study of an immature Golden Eagle in flight yesterday while doing field work down by Gum Slough, which is about 3 miles south of the Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve. Given that (1) this is south Florida, and (2) this is SOUTH FLORIDA, I took great pains to rule out some weird intermediate Bald Eagle plumage. : : I noted the following: all dark brown above with noticably paler "hackles". Basal 2/3 or more of the tail were pure white with crisp line between the white and the dark terminal band (above and below). Small white patches at the base of the inner primaries on the underwings. NO white on axillaries, underwing coverts, or belly at all. : : Gum Slough is virtually inaccessible to folks without an ATV and a permit, but the bird was heading east pretty high when I last saw it. Keep an eye out at Shark Valley and points eastward for any odd looking eagles. : : Mark Faherty : Homestead
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