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Bald eagle vs brahminy kite11/19/2023 ![]() ![]() They are fully grown when they reach about 9 weeks and are strong enough to leave the nest in 12 weeks. In 3-4 weeks, their plumage becomes darker where black contoured feathers start to grow especially in the back, breast, and wings. Age Appearance 1-12 weeks (Nestlings) When hatching, eaglets are light grey white on the head and neck. Here are some details about them during their transition from eaglet to an adult. So, you might wonder how they look like before they become mature. However, some may get it a little sooner (in 4.5 years) and for some, it takes a longer time such as 8 years. Most bald eagles get pure white heads when they are 5.5 years old. Out of them, I’ll go with the first listed one which is “White head helps bald eagles to get the attention of their mates and attract them”. So, as you can see, there are numerous opinions given on the topic. But what about the body? This opinion fails the logic with darker body plumage in bald eagles. Since white surfaces reflect more light than darker surfaces, white feathers may help to keep the temperature down in the head. Opinion 4 – White plumage in the head helps to keep the bald eagle’s head cooler when it is exposed to the sun: Overheating can be a health risk to birds.Opinion 3 – It helps to convey the presence of the bald eagle to other eagles or predators: As the white head is the most distinguishable feature of the bald eagle to separate them from other similar species, this opinion has some weight too. ![]() However, since adults are having darker bodies (brown with creamy mocha-infused color) and white head plumage, and dirty white tails, it is hard to believe they can camouflage well in the sky. Opinion 2 – White plumage on the head in adults helps them to camouflage in the sky: Well, this can be true to dark color juvenile eagles since they can survive in darker environments such as in nests or woods and avoid any trouble.Therefore, it can be one of the indicators of their sexual maturity to their mate. Opinion 1 – White head is an attractor to find a mate: I personally believe this can be the most promising reason since bald eagle head turns white when they reach sexual maturity.However, few activists have given their opinions on the matter as follows, Scientists and experts have not clearly expressed why the bald eagle’s head turns white. Conclusion Why Do Bald Eagles Have White Heads?.Do juvenile bald eagle look similar to the golden eagle?. ![]() Are eagles the only raptor with a white head?.Are There Eagles (Other Than Bald Eagle) with white heads?.What Birds (Other Than Bald Eagle) Have White Heads?.Do Female Bald Eagles Have White Heads?.My sea eagle shots tend to be of this variety: “No, look there, in the left corner. This is actually a Brahminy Kite which while not an eagle is at least a member of the same Accipitridae family. ![]() If they could have whistled innocently, perhaps they would have. Every time they got too close, the eagle would pause and give them a look, and the vultures would look everywhere else but at the eagle or the meal. The eagle bloodying its beak in a dead deer, while three turkey vultures looked on, actually rocking back and forth with temptation and impatience. “Aw, come ON, man! Just a little bite?” This was a funny scene. Hey, even the mighty enjoy an easy meal from time to time. Oh, mighty hunter! Symbol of my nation, Master of… er, is that roadkill? I love the smell of raccoon in the morning, it’s the smell of victory. I hope to add some Golden Eagles in the next year. Thanks to the ban of DDT and the efforts of many volunteers and activists we can say that an eagle sighting is a relatively common occurrence. Last year during the survey day, volunteers actually counted 900 bald eagles along the routes! This weekend is also Bald Eagle Days in Sauk City, WI. Um, where did the road just go?Īnyway, in honor of the eagle survey/count, I am posting a gallery of the other eagles I’ve seen in the last year or two here in Wisconsin and even a sort-of-eagle in Thailand. I shoveled it out in about 45 minutes. Who knew some of these Wisconsin backroads only get plowed … HALFWAY?!?! In a snow flurry in a flat, white landscape, that sort of thing sneaks up on you. No cell signal, just a very dark farmhouse nearby. I did, however, manage to run my car into a giant snowbank in the middle of nowhere. Saw lots of hawks and several shrikes, but no eagles. The last time I helped I was responsible for driving through a designated area in Central Wisconsin. I was hoping to take part this year, but I will be on a plane back to Bangkok. This coming Saturday, January 15, the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota is hosting its 7th annual Golden Eagle Survey. ![]()
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