What do Bald Eagles Look Like?
Haliaeetus leucocephalus, the bald eagles scientific name translates: a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. Its name comes from the old English word, balde, which meant white-faced. In the past, the word bald meant white, not hairless. Adult bald eagles have a blackish-brown back and breast; white head, neck, and tail; and yellow feet and bill. Their feet are not feathered like golden eagles. There are no other large black birds in North America with white heads and tails. The sex of a bald eagle can be determined by its beak. Females have deeper ones. Newly hatched Bald Eaglets are light grey. They turn dark brown about 12 weeks of age, before they leave the nest. At age 3 and 4, they have mottled brown and white feathers under their wings and on their head, tail, and breast, along with black bills, and are easily confused with the golden eagle. At 4 to 5 years of age, when they are sexually mature, their distinct plumagewhite head and tail feathersappear and their d
