Bald Eagle

Identification Tips:

• Length: 32 inches Wingspan: 80 inches
• Sexes similar
• Very large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk
• Rounded wings
• Thick, hooked bill
• Plucks fish from water with talons

Adult:

• White head and upper neck
• White tail
• Dark brown body plumage
• Yellow bill

Immature:

• Dark bill and dark cere
• Dark brown body plumage, including head and tail
• Variable amounts of white on underwing coverts, belly, andback
• White head and tail, and dark underwings are gradually acquired in four years

Habitat

• Coasts, rivers, lakes; in migration, also mountains

Image by permission of Dr. Daniel Sudia for educational purposes.