The question “What large bird has white tail?” is likely referring to a specific species of large bird that is identifiable by its white tail feathers. There are a few potential candidates that fit this description that will be explored in more detail throughout this article. Some key points to begin with:
- There are a number of large bird species spanning multiple families that have white tail feathers as adults.
- Examples include certain eagles, hawks, herons, cranes, and others.
- Context clues based on the word “large” can help narrow down the most likely species.
- Factors like size, range, rarity, and how commonly known the species is can all play a role.
- Researching details on plumage, typical habitats, distribution, and other characteristics for potential candidate species can help identify the likely match.
To conclusively determine “What large bird has white tail?”, we will methodically go through various types of larger bird species that exhibit white tail plumage and analyze the evidence to pinpoint the most plausible species being referred to by this question.
Large Eagle Species With White Tails
There are a number of large eagle species that have white tail feathers and could potentially match the description in the question. Here are some of the most notable possibilities:
Bald Eagle
- One of the largest eagle species with a wingspan up to 7.5 feet.
- Found widely across North America.
- Adults have a white head and tail, with a brown body.
- The bald eagle is the national symbol of the United States.
- Given its large size, distinctive plumage, and cultural significance, it seems like a plausible candidate for the question.
Golden Eagle
- Another very large eagle species found in parts of North America, Eurasia, and Africa.
- Adults have brown plumage on the body and wings, with a golden brown head and nape.
- The tail feathers are a distinctive pale whitish-gold color.
- Less likely to be the species referred to in the question since the tail is not solid white.
Verreaux’s Eagle
- A very large African eagle species with a wingspan around 7 feet.
- Adults have a distinctive black body, wings, and head, with a white underside and tail.
- Unlikely to be the bird in the question since its range is limited to Africa.
Steller’s Sea Eagle
- A large eagle native to coastal areas of Russia and Asia.
- Adults have dark brown bodies and wings with white shoulders, a white tail, and white legs.
- A less familiar species outside of its native region, so less likely to be the bird in the question.
Of these large eagle species with white tails, the Bald Eagle seems like the most probable candidate at this stage due to its widespread recognition and all-white tail. But there are other groups of birds to consider before drawing final conclusions.
Large Hawk Species With White Tails
In addition to eagles, there are some large hawk species with white tails that could potentially be the bird described in the question:
Red-Tailed Hawk
- A very widespread and common hawk across most of North America.
- Adults have brown wings and back with a pale underside; the tail is rusty red.
- Some color morphs exist where the tail is pale whitish.
- Their large range and presence make them a contender.
Ferruginous Hawk
- The largest hawk species in North America.
- Found on open grasslands and scrublands in western North America.
- Adults have a gray-brown back and wings, with a white underside and tail.
- A less familiar species to many, lowering the chances it is the bird in question.
Rough-legged Hawk
- A large raptor that breeds in Arctic and subarctic regions.
- Adults have dark brown wings and back contrasting with a white tail and underbody.
- Migrates to lower latitudes in winter where more likely to be seen.
- Still a less common species that is probably not referred to in the question.
The Red-tailed Hawk seems like a strong possibility based on its widespread range and familiarity. The fact that some color morphs have whitish tails makes this species hard to ignore as a contender. We still have more groups to cover before deciding conclusively.
Large Heron Species With White Tails
Herons represent another type of larger bird that contains species exhibiting white tail feathers:
Great Egret
- A large, widely distributed heron species that occurs across North America.
- Adults are all white with a yellow bill, black legs, and a wingspan around 4 feet.
- The white plumage includes the tail feathers.
- Frequently occurring in both coastal and inland wetland habitats.
- The all-white appearance and large size make this species a strong contender.
Great White Egret
- A very large, mostly white heron native to tropical and subtropical Africa.
- Adults have all white plumage, including the tail.
- Unlikely to be referred to in the question due to limited geographic range.
Intermediate Egret
- Another predominantly white heron widely distributed across North America.
- Slightly smaller than the Great Egret.
- Plumage is entirely white, including the tail.
- A strong possibility based on size, coloration, and range.
The Great Egret and Intermediate Egret both seem like very likely candidates based on their large sizes, completely white tail and body plumage, and widespread ranges, especially in North America. The Great Egret may have a slight edge due to its larger size.
Other Large Birds With White Tails
A couple other groups of large birds have species with white tails that could potentially match the question description:
Whooping Crane
- One of the tallest birds in North America, with a height over 5 feet.
- Adults are snowy white overall, with a red crown and a long dark bill.
- Almost went extinct in the 20th century, now with a tiny and vulnerable wild population.
- Most people have not seen this species, making it an unlikely match to the question.
Sandhill Crane
- Another very large crane species that is gray overall with a reddish cap on the head.
- Found in open wetlands and fields across North America.
- More common than the Whooping Crane, but not as widely recognized.
- Still a reasonable possibility based on the white tail.
The Sandhill Crane stands out as a potential species matching the question based on its size, white tail, and range. The Whooping Crane seems like a less likely option given its rarity.
Summary and Conclusion
Bald Eagle
After systematically working through various groups of larger bird species that possess white tail feathers, the Bald Eagle appears to emerge as the strongest candidate for the bird described in the question “What large bird has white tail?”. The reasoning is as follows:
- The Bald Eagle is one of the largest eagle species with a wingspan up to 7.5 feet, making it unambiguously a “large bird”.
- It is widespread across North America, providing ample opportunities for observation.
- Adult Bald Eagles have a distinctive all-white head and tail contrasting with a brown body.
- The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States and easily one of the most recognizable bird species.
- Given its large size, familiarity, and unmistakable white tail, the Bald Eagle seems like the bird species most likely being referred to in this question.
While other candidates like the Red-tailed Hawk, Great Egret, and Sandhill Crane are also large birds with white tails, the Bald Eagle combines large size, distinct white tail plumage, widespread range, and familiarity shared by no other species. It is a well-known bird matching this physical description in North America. For these reasons, the Bald Eagle is the most reasonable answer to the question “What large bird has white tail?”. Confidence in this conclusion can be strengthened by comparing images of the various species discussed and their distinguishing features. In the absence of any further information that would suggest an alternative species, the Bald Eagle appears to be the best selection based on the evidence.
References
Bald Eagle Facts
- Wingspan: 6.5-7.5 ft (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Audubon
- Range: Throughout most of North America (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), The Cornell Lab
- Plumage: Brown body, white head and tail (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Audubon
- National bird: John J. Audubon, Audubon’s Birds of America (1840s)
Sizes of Other Species
- Wingspans:
- Golden Eagle: 6.5-7.5 ft
- Red-tailed Hawk: 3.5-4.5 ft
- Ferruginous Hawk: 4.5-5.5 ft
- Great Egret: 4-4.5 ft
- Sandhill Crane: 5-6 ft
- Heights:
- Whooping Crane: 5 ft
Range and Habitat
- Golden Eagle: Northern Hemisphere, especially western North America (Aquila chrysaetos), Audubon
- Red-tailed Hawk: Throughout North America (Buteo jamaicensis), The Cornell Lab
- Ferruginous Hawk: Western North America (Buteo regalis), The Cornell Lab
- Great Egret: Lower 48 states of US, elsewhere in Americas (Ardea alba), Audubon
- Sandhill Crane: Across western and northern North America (Antigone canadensis), The Cornell Lab
- Whooping Crane: Central flyway of North America (Grus americana), The Cornell Lab