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Applegater Spring 2019 13 BIRD EXPLORER Difficult ID of juvenile Bald and Golden Eagles BY PETER J. THIEMANN Eagles are more visible in late winter A mature Bald Eagle is easily The Bald Eagle is a closely related cousin seen them both and early spring as they often congregate identified by its white head and tail. to the Eurasian Sea Eagle, which looks on winter kills Peter J. Thiemann near open water where waterfowl is There is nothing “bald” about our Bald similar, but without a white head. in Yellowstone present. In southern Oregon, there are Eagle, which is really a misnomer. A far The ranges of Bald and Golden Eagles National Park. Here in southern Oregon two species of eagles: the Golden Eagle more appropriate name would be Sea overlap, so it is possible to see them I was fortunate to capture a unique and the Bald Eagle, our National Bird. Eagle due to its association with water. together and competing for prey. I have image of a large juvenile female Bald Eagle with a male Golden Eagle. A close look will show the head size difference with that enormous beak on the Bald and larger talons on the Golden. This comparison is very helpful, as juvenile Bald Eagles are often mistaken for Golden Eagles because they don’t yet have a white head or tail, which come, for both sexes, around age three to four. I posted the juxtaposition of the two eagle species online and received many comments, including some from viewers asking about cross-species relations. It certainly is a unique photo; however, the explanation may be simple. The pole they are sitting on is not a power pole but rather a pole specifically erected for raptors near water and large concentrations of waterfowl. So, it may have been just competition for a prime perch that brought the two together. We will never know. Juvenile Bald Eagle (left) and mature Bald Eagle (right). Juvenile female Bald Eagle (top) with male Golden Eagle (bottom). Peter J. Thiemann Photo courtesy of peterjthiemann flickr photo stream. Photo courtesy of peterjthiemann flickr photo stream. [email protected] Satyr Anglewing Butterflies benefit The Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) can reach a wingspread of two and a from native herb quarter inches. Its open wings BY LINDA KAPPEN display a bright yellow-orange color with black spots and a When I think of stinging nettle Larvae feed on stinging nettle, making triangular black spot on both (Urtica dioica), I think of its many uses. shelters of folded leaves for protection hindwings. Eggs are laid singly This herbaceous flowering plant has long while they feed. Older larvae will make or in stacks or groups. The been used as a source for medicine, food, nests tied together with silk. The Red Anglewing larvae make shelters tea, and dyes for fabric. Nettles make Admirable will overwinter as an adult by eating the leaves of the excellent companion plants, helping to depending on seasonal weather. If stinging nettle, pulling them produce healthy herbs and vegetables. overwintering occurs, it sets a good down and fastening the edges They also serve as a larval food plant, chance of numerous broods. I have with silk. This butterfly also almost exclusively, for three species of witnessed a third brood toward the end overwinters and can be seen in Pacific Northwest butterflies and for of summer in the recent past. flight from February to early other lepidoptera in locations all over I have seen the Red Admirable fly November. Adults nectar on tree Red Admirable. Photo: Linda Kappen. the world where nettles grow. during warmer days in early February saps, rotting fruit, lilacs, many In our region, stinging nettle grows to later dates in early fall. Mostly we thistles, and other flowers. This in the understory of forests and near see it in flight from May to October. butterfly can be seen in many rivers, creeks, or wetter meadows The butterfly will use many nectar habitats such as parks, fields, in mountains and valley bottoms. sources, including sap, bird droppings, valley bottoms, openings in The stinging nettle has needlelike hairs and flowering plants, such as hyssop, riparian woods, canyons, and that, if brushed against, can sting your rabbitbrush, fireweed, and many more. near streams. The range is all of skin much like a bee. This is a defense Its range is the entire Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Northwest and also against herbivores. from sea level to high mountains. It can the Great Lakes states. The three butterfly species found be seen in moist woods, fields, meadows, Native stinging nettles or locally that use the stinging nettle almost and mountain seeps. other nettles should be saved exclusively are the Red Admirable, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell in our parks, waterways, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, and Satyr The wingspread of the Milbert’s woods, cities, and surrounding Anglewing. All three belong to the Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti) reaches up countryside. Eliminating the Milbert’s Tortoiseshell. Photo: Linda Kappen. butterfly family Nymphalidae, and all to two inches. Its wings have a chocolate- nettles would decrease the three overwinter (hibernate) in our area. colored base with two-toned bands of chances of seeing all three of Red Admirable orange to yellow and blue crescents these beautiful butterflies in our The wingspan of a Red Admirable toward the edge of the hindwings. towns and parks. (Vanessa atalanta) can reach up to two It lays its eggs in masses. The behavior Interesting facts and a half inches. This very beautiful of the larvae is like that of the Red The name “Red Admiral” butterfly is black with bright scarlet Admirable. This butterfly will also break is a corruption of the original bands and white spots at the tips of hibernation on warm, late-winter days name, “Red Admirable,” which its forewings. Eggs are laid singly. and can be seen in April and throughout has been in use for over 250 the summer. The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell years. The Red Admirable is will nectar on spring flowers, sap, of the genus Vanessa, but other Douglas aster, pearly everlasting, and admirals, like Lorquin’s Admiral other plants. In the Pacific Northwest, and Weidenmeyer’s Admiral, it ranges from southern Alaska down belong to a different genus to California and Nevada and can be called Limenitis. seen in wet areas, mountain seeps and Linda Kappen Stinging nettle (oureverydaylife.com). meadows, and moist woodlands. [email protected] Satyr Anglewing. Photo: Linda Kappen..

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