Couple of weeks ago I was visiting Georges River National Park in Sydney. I was near the swamp area when I looked up and saw some magpies chasing away an absolutely massive bird. It was not a sea eagle. It was mottled brown and white on the underbelly. I could not notice any significant beak or feet but that could just be the angle I saw it from. The magpies were dwarfed in size.
I was thinking a Swamp Harrier but Im not really sure. My partner mentioned the wing feathers had white near the outer edges.
Any other ideas what it could be?
Hi SWS
Your first thoughts may have been correct,young sea eagles are brown and white for the first 3 or 4 years, getting whiter as they get older. I'll find and post a picture later.
Ed Townsville NQ
Ithink this one has been posted b4
Ed Townsville NQ
I agree. I don't know the area but probably an immature sea eagle or osprey.
See Yez
Trev
Size wise it sounds like a sea eagle.
.
The swamp harriers are much smaller although still bigger than the magpies
Hi Denis and everyone
Yes I realise my description and language was not the best, only because the only thing I noticed was the body colour and size of the bird. Only once it was gone did I kick myself for not studying it harder! I think I was just flabergasted seeing such a large bird in the air, having not seen one before.
I was aware of the colouring of juvenile sea eagles. My friend paid more attention to the flight feathers and tail, I'll ask him again and post back with any further details.