EAGLE/HARRIER
The Golden Eagle and the Bald Eagle are not as closely related as one would imagine. Although they are similar in size, the Golden Eagle is more closely related to buteos. The Golden Eagle’s head is relatively small and it has broad dark wings with large “hands”. The Bald Eagle’s head and bill is quite large and they have straight-edged wings with narrow “hands”. Both large raptors fly with shallow wingbeats, but the Golden Eagle soars with a slight dihedral while the Bald Eagle’s wings are nearly flat.
The Northern Harrier is quite different from the Bald and Golden Eagles. It is quite a large raptor, but is very slender with long wings and tail. Northern Harriers are often seen flying low over fields and marshes with smooth, rowing wingbeats. Depending on their mode of flight, Harriers are known for a wide variety of wing positions. It is most commonly flying with its wings in a raised dihedral.
Bald Eagle - Golden Eagle - Northern Harrier