Yet Another “Barthelemyi Golden Eagle” at Second Mountain Hawk Watch

Earlier today, observers at Second Mountain Hawk Watch at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, were treated to excellent looks at a migrating “Bartelemyi Golden Eagle”, a rare variant of the species recognized by white scapulars that mimic a pair of epaulets on the shoulders.

"Barthelemyi Golden Eagle"
The “Barthelemyi Golden Eagle” variant is recognized by the pair of white scapulars that create epaulets on its shoulders.  Molt in the primaries indicates that this is a second-year (Basic I) bird.
"Barthelemyi Golden Eagle"
This is the third “Barthelemyi Golden Eagle” sighting in the past eight years at Second Mountain.  The first was on October 21, 2017, and the second was less than a year ago on December 6, 2023.

For more information on the “Barthelemyi Golden Eagle” sightings at Second Mountain, see our post from December 6, 2023.

Remember, it ain’t over ’til it’s over, there are still more eagles and other raptors on the way!  And if you’d like to catch a glimpse of one of these rare “Barthelemyi Golden Eagles”…well, you know where you oughta be.

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