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| HARRIER, OSPREY 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 (click here for more info on N.Harrier) |
| 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 (click for more on Bald Eagle) |
| 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 (click here for more on Osprey) |
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| Female Harrier |
| Male Harrier Copyright: Cindy Meade www.northwoodsong.com |
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| Osprey Copyright: Ian Cale |
| Osprey Copyright: D.Taggart |
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| Bald Eagle |