Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: BetCrooks on October 30, 2014, 03:42:48 PM

Title: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: BetCrooks on October 30, 2014, 03:42:48 PM

I was at JC Saddington, Mississsauga, watching a mink approaching a pair of Mute Swans on the rocks.

I looked up from the interplay to see a large bird, I thought at the time a GB Heron, flying up over the trees near the shoreline. I took a few fast fires before turning back to the mink saga.

On looking at them later, I discover it was a bird with a noticeably black tail end, preceded by a wide white strip, preceded by a black upper tail or possibly rump.The wings are gleaming a dark brown on top on the original photo.

Any guesses which bird has this combination of tail colouring?

Note, because of that effect of distant objects against trees, it could be any size from a large gull to a raptor to a GB heron. I really can't say for sure. So I've included two versions of the same photo, one with some of the trees in it.

I realize that unless this tail combo is definitive, I likely will never know what it was.

[attachment=1:1dsdll8e]LargeBirdWhiteTailStrip.jpg[/attachment:1dsdll8e]

[attachment=0:1dsdll8e]BirdwithTrees.jpg[/attachment:1dsdll8e]

Title: Re: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: mc on October 30, 2014, 04:09:45 PM

Northern Harrier?

Title: Re: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: beresford on October 30, 2014, 04:48:59 PM

For my money it looks like a young golden eagle. The terminal band on the tail bounded on either side by dark brown is pretty unique to a young bird. Plus the width of the wings and the fact they are in a slight dihedral all point to a golden for me.

Again this just speculation. But it looks good for a golden to me.

Hope this helps
Tim

Title: Re: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: Reuven_M on October 30, 2014, 05:48:55 PM

Canada Goose

Title: Re: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: BetCrooks on October 30, 2014, 06:54:27 PM

Thanks everyone!

Title: Re: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: beresford on October 30, 2014, 08:08:41 PM

Sheesh, talk about not seeing the forest for the trees...

Canada goose it is... grey-white belly and all.

Title: Re: Large Bird White Tail Strip
Post by: mc on October 30, 2014, 10:18:39 PM

Quote from: "Reuven_M"

Canada Goose

thanks reuven....i would not have thought that......although, i do believe you are correct....what did i miss...i thought northern harrier...hummm???