Everyone recognises a Magpie, and it also has an unmistakable sound. Bird identification is often not so easy. The photo below (courtesy of Rob Shepherd) is an interesting identification issue.
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Yes, the larger bird is a Wedge-tailed Eagle. What is the smaller bird? Well, yes, it’s very likely it’s also a Wedge-tailed Eagle! Why the apparently dramatic difference in sizes?
There is a suggestion that the smaller bird is a juvenile due to the colour on the head – however, juvenile birds that can fly are approximately the same size as adult birds.
Female Wedge-tailed are somewhat larger than male Wedge-tailed – so perhaps the larger bird is a female and the smaller bird a male?
Perhaps it’s that the smaller bird is photographed side-on, the foreshortening reducing the apparent size of the wings and tail?
Perhaps the photographer has played a trick on us?
What do you think?
James Orton