Comments on: Golden eagles vs. bald eagles — how to tell the difference

By: Jack Hanna

Jack Hanna — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:49:01 +0000

Thursday, Dec 30 about 10 am in Bethel Island, I saw a Bald Eagle overhead. Driving along Taylor Road, I doubted what I saw. The white head and tail are distinctive. So, the bird was kind enough to take a recon circle between the road and the slough of Bethel Islands Taylor Road/Taylor Slough. I could not deny what I saw. Clearly I saw a mature bald eagle fly overhead near my home in The Delta.
I am neither ornitholigist or registered birder. But, I do follow birds and do my homework. There can be no confusion between this bird and an osprey, golden eagle, or any other raptor. The spread white tail, the distinct white head and neck and the dark wings can be confused with no other bird I have observed on The Delta or the hills of The East Bay.
Research tells me that there is a nest between El Sobrante and Orinda in the EBMUD watershed. THis bird was headed generaly toward Mt Diablo, which could be either of the nests I suppose. But, I would love to think that there is another nest on the east side of the mountain.
Respectfully, H. Jack Hanna (no not of the ohio zoo) The Delta paddleboarder and boater.

By: Brian Hill

Brian Hill — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:48:05 +0000

Oh, I forgot to mention that this is in Eureka Valley in San Francisco. The habitat descriptions for Golden Eagles don’t seem to include urban settings, but we also have Peregrine Falcons downtown.

By: Brian Hill

Brian Hill — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:45:22 +0000

Yesterday I saw a brown bird on the roof across the street eating what looked like some other flying creature (it honestly looked like bat, but it could have been another bird). But it got far into its catch, it flew over to the power line and perched on that to finish it. Several swift breezes made him visibly have to work at staying there – seemed odd.

I got several pictures but it still look me a while to narrow it down to a Golden Eagle using this:

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/26/_/Golden_Eagle.aspx

I was still in doubt, but reading this blog, I am guessing it very well could have been a Golden Eagle. At least, to me it did not look like an immature Bald Eagle or one of the different hawks that were sorta close matches

By: Gary Bogue

Gary Bogue — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:54:05 +0000

Sean: Yours is the 4th report of a bald eagle seen at lake Herman. One had a trout. The bird(s) may have come from Briones reservoir near Orinda … there’s a bald eagle nest there and it’s not far … as the bald eagle flies. /Gary

By: Sean finn

Sean finn — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:48:24 +0000

I saw a bald eagle at lake Herman today. It was very close and there is no doubt.

By: Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:38:37 +0000

Many people mistake immature Bald Eagles for Golden Eagles. The characteristic white head and all white tail is not seen in Bald Eagles until they hit their 5th year.

Here’s a great chart to help you better differentiate between the two species: http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/articles/Identifying_the_Sub-Adult_B.pdf

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By: Renee Oleari

Renee Oleari — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:53:40 +0000

Golden Eagle sighting in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill boarder. I swear – the wing span must have been 4 feet. I saw the shadow first – then saw it fly overhead, and land in a tree. Nice yellow talons, a golden brown color, black and white tail feathers. I think it was a male.

By far, the biggest raptor I have ever seen.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:31:49 +0000

Do bald and golden eagles hang together, or am I seeing a bald eagle with another (immature) bald eagle. They were on the same tree, different branches, in southern Oregon. I have a close up photo of the golden I could send if you let me know an e-mail address.

By: Gary Bogue

Gary Bogue — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:46:19 +0000

Mike:
Immature bale eagle’s tail feathers look whitish and speckled from below. The immature golden eagle has a white band at the base of its tail feathers. Hope this helps. I suppose the immature bald eagle could fall into the “light colored tail” category. /Gary