Can someone please help me find out what this raptor is?

[amazondoc]

Quote:
I'm sorry, but you're simply mistaken. I'm a retired vet who did a lot of avian medicine when I was in practice, including zoo animals. I personally knew a tame vulture for a long time. I was also an avid birder for years, and I lived out in Utah (seeing both bald and golden eagles) for five years.

The first three pics are of a vulture. I can't tell about the last two -- those could easily be a hawk of some sort. None of them are pics of an eagle.

 

[wateboe]

Yes, amazondoc, I agree. I had a pal for years named Igor who was a turkey vulture, he was a mischevious delight. At calving time we have huge flocks of turkey vultures on our farm acting as the clean-up crew. Those first pictures are definitely of a turkey vulture!

 

[amazondoc]

Here's a pretty good pic showing the shapes of different soaring raptors:

http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season5/boprey/raptorimages.cfm

You'll see that the vulture wings are longer and narrower (relatively speaking) than the eagle wings. The primaries and secondaries on the vulture are lighter than the main part of the wing, unlike the eagles. The tail feathers on the vulture are held more tightly together, making the tail look narrow -- while the tail feathers on the eagles are more spread, giving a wider tail silhouette. The head on the vulture is smaller than the eagle.

All of these vulture characteristics match the OP's first three pics. The more I look at the last two, the more I think they are a different bird -- but they aren't an eagle either. Some sort of hawk, but I can't tell what.

 

[redhen]

i'll keep trying to get pics of these guys...i think i may have 2 differant ones here also....what the heck kind of hawk is that big though!?

 

[amazondoc]

Lots of hawks are big, and it can be very very difficult to accurately assess the size of birds.

Do try to get more pics!

 

[what was i thinking]

boy did you start something here.... you better get some good pics. lol

 

[redhen]

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i will try! they hate my camera though!

 

[stormylady]

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Thats what I said too. Sure sounds like one!

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Thank you. I told her the exact same thing last night and I am not a vet

I think turkey vultures and vultures in general are the ugliest creatures on earth...LOL Up close or 100 feet up. But a Golden Eagle or a Redtail just make my heart happy.

I know a Steppe Eagle named Beanca who is approaching the 40 year old mark that is just awe inspiring. I did a benefit for her and her wildlife refuge several years ago at Fort Bragg, NC. All I can say is Wow! You can see her picture here http://americanwildliferefuge.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_easygallery&act=photos&cid=217&Itemid=26

and here she is getting ready to drive home http://americanwildliferefuge.org/j...=com_easygallery&act=photos&cid=219&Itemid=26 you can see her bad wing in this picture.

Here she is at a circus...you can see her wing span http://americanwildliferefuge.org/j...=com_easygallery&act=photos&cid=216&Itemid=26

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Thank you. I told her the exact same thing last night and I am not a vet

I think turkey vultures and vultures in general are the ugliest creatures on earth...LOL Up close or 100 feet up. But a Golden Eagle or a Redtail just make my heart happy.

I know a Steppe Eagle named Beanca who is approaching the 40 year old mark that is just awe inspiring. I did a benefit for her and her wildlife refuge several years ago at Fort Bragg, NC. All I can say is Wow! You can see her picture here http://americanwildliferefuge.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_easygallery&act=photos&cid=217&Itemid=26

and here she is getting ready to drive home http://americanwildliferefuge.org/j...=com_easygallery&act=photos&cid=219&Itemid=26 you can see her bad wing in this picture.

aww! she is pretty! they are so regal looking!