This picture was taken in the northern part of florida on august 26. Is it a eagle or buzzard and why is it white like that.?Is that normal?
what and why
Started by
Guest_kinard_*
, Aug 30 2012 01:14 PM
9 replies to this topic
#2
BigOly
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NoBadDaysBirder
Posted 30 August 2012 - 06:23 PM
Looks like a lighting issue. Reflection from the sun makes it look white. The bird may be a Turkey Vulture in molt.
#3
Liam
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Posted 30 August 2012 - 06:46 PM
Looks like a lighting issue. Reflection from the sun makes it look white. The bird may be a Turkey Vulture in molt.
If lighting were the case, I think more of the bird would be effected. This looks like a leucistic Turkey Vulture to me. Wing shape, tail shape, and size eliminate other similar raptors.
#4
TheBillyPilgrim
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Posted 30 August 2012 - 08:10 PM
Definitely a Turkey Vulture. I'm inclined to agree with Liam that its a leucistic individual that has some pigmentation issues in some of its feathers. They are a species that are recorded fairly regularly with these sorts of mutations, imo.
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#5
David Case
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Posted 30 August 2012 - 08:49 PM
If lighting were the case, I think more of the bird would be effected. This looks like a leucistic Turkey Vulture to me. Wing shape, tail shape, and size eliminate other similar raptors.
I don't know, Liam. The parts of the bird that are bright, the right wing from the body out to the elbow and part of the tail, all appear to be in the same plane and reflecting light back at the camera. It looks like the sun is low enough in the sky to cause strong reflections. Also the image appears to be overexposed by quite a bit. Notice how the sky is washed out. It may be leucistic as you say, but there are lighting issues with the photo.
#6
fisherman1313
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Posted 30 August 2012 - 08:53 PM
I agree with Liam that this bird is leucistic, you can see individual feathers (white and black) in the tail and on the left wing. I also agree that it's a TV.
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#7
Guest_kinard_*
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Posted 01 September 2012 - 04:29 AM
The white is not the light or camera expousre. I seen it before i could get the camera up ,also on the back of the bird. Dont mean to sound stupid, but could u tell me what TV means?
#8
David Case
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Posted 01 September 2012 - 04:33 AM
The white is not the light or camera expousre. I seen it before i could get the camera up ,also on the back of the bird. Dont mean to sound stupid, but could u tell me what TV means?
OK, thanks for the clarification on the lighting. TV is bird geek speak for Turkey Vulture.
#9
BarnSwallow
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Posted 01 September 2012 - 10:33 AM
Turkey vultures are the birds that are commonly, but incorrectly, called "buzzards". Buzzards are actually a species of hawk found in Europe.
#10
fisherman1313
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Posted 01 September 2012 - 09:55 PM
Did you just call me a geek?OK, thanks for the clarification on the lighting. TV is bird geek speak for Turkey Vulture.
New Year's Resolutions:
Get my lifelist to 300 (at the time of the original writing-293, currently-294)
Finally get Mountain Quail and Vesper Sparrow
Top my previous single year best (2011-253) I'm at 210 as of 6/11.
Latest Lifer(s):Cassin's Kingbird, Basalt Campgrounds, San Luis Reservoir SRA, Merced County, CA, 6/3/13; Harris's Sparrow, Oka Ponds, Campbell, CA, 1/1/13
Favorite Recent Bird(s):Pileated Woodpecker, North Grove Trail, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Calaveras County, CA 6/8/13; Cassin's Kingbird (Lifer), Varied Thrush, Basalt Campgrounds, San Luis Reservoir SRA, Merced County, CA; Lesser Nighthawk, Santa Fe Grade Rd., Merced County, CA, 6/3/13; Yellow-breasted Chat, Knights Ferry Rec Area, Knights Ferry, CA; 5/20/13; Blue-winged Teal (Pair), Peregrine Falcon, Sanderling (3),Franklin's Gull (9), Modesto Wastewater Treatment Facility, Modesto, CA, 5/12/13; MacGillivray's Warber, Adair Rd., Modesto, CA, 5/5/13; Long-eared Owl, Mercy Hot Springs, Fresno County, CA
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