HARRIER, OSPREY, BALD EAGLE
Northern Harrier
- Long, lean, lanky body of medium size
- Long Tail
- Wings exceedingly long & narrow, sometimes appear pointed, or sometimes blunted.
- Males, silver gray above, white below. Wing tips jet black.
- Females, tawny above, buffy & streaked below
- Immature, dark brown backs, cinnamon below
- Large, obvious, diagnostic white rump patch on all phases
- When soaring/gliding holds wings in dihedral (v-shape like vulture). Rocks unsteadily in wind.
- Wing beats may be continuous, but most often occur in long series mixed with slow glides
Osprey
- Large raptor
- Distinctive black & white patterned plumage
- Underbody and wing linings creamy white. Flight feathers dark.
- White crown & forehead. Dark eyestripe separates white crown from white throat.
- When soaring, wings appear long, thin and tapered. Shape suggests a large, dark-backed gull. Appears to be all wing & tail.
- Wing beats stiff
Bald Eagle
- Massively big, larger than any Buteo or Vulture
- Long wings
- Dark Plumage
- Young birds are dark brown, second year birds show some white. Adults have white tail & white head
- Very large head & bill, head & tail almost of equal length
- Narrow, planklike wings
- Flight steady, even-keeled
