AOI little eagle morph?

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Well Jude,

 

The only Australian raptors with an Absolutely white head are the two small kites, the Brahminy Kite, the White (morph of Grey) Goshawk and the Sea-Eagle.

The only Australian raptors with an Absolutely white tail are the two small kites, the White Goshawk and the tip of the Sea-Eagle's tail is white. The Brahminy Kite's tail is pale on the surface showing from below and the tip of its tail is white. Very pale Whistling Kites can have a head and tail that is almost white and the Osprey has a mostly pale head and tail.

The only Australian raptors with Gorgeous bright chestnut all over top of wings are the Brahminy Kite.

The only Australian raptors with Blotched white and chestnut under the wings are the Brahminy Kite, especially immatures transitioning to adult plumage. Or maybe those words could loosely be applied to other species like Harriers.

The only Australian raptors with Yellowish beak are the Brahminy Kite, although I would hardly call that feature obvious.

 

If you were in coastal northern Australia, then Brahminy Kite would seem an obvious choice. But near Goulburn is strange.

 

Are you suggesting it was hunting baby cats? That would be unlikely.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: jude hopwood [
Sent: Thursday, 8 November 2012 6:52 PM
To: COG
Subject: [canberrabirds] AOI little eagle morph?

Dear All,

 

Sorry, no photo. 8:15am today, lat/long -34° 50' 35.35", +149° 38' 53.44"according to Google maps. Otherwise, near Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn.  Very large raptor.  Absolutely white head and tail. Yellowish beak.  Could not discern any feathering on the legs. Blotched white and chestnut under the wings.  Gorgeous bright chestnut all over top of wings.  Was flopping to the ground in apparent chase of a magpie at first, then little kittens boinged (I believe this is the technical term) from underneath the bird which floundered clumsily some more before taking its hard-earned breakfast to a post to eat.  Did not move off for the next ten minutes, by which time I was rather late for work so had to leave.  More rounded than a swamp harrier. Did not appear to have distinct fingering on wings, although no binos.

 

Suggestions or guidance?

 

Jude