Many people wonder about the size difference between Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles, often due to their similar majestic appearance and impressive stature. While both are formidable raptors, a closer look at their physical measurements, distinguishing features, and behaviors reveals how they compare.
Comparative Physical Dimensions
The answer to which is larger is not always straightforward, as it can depend on the specific measurement and the individual bird. Female eagles in both species are typically larger than males. Bald Eagles generally have a body length ranging from 70 to 102 centimeters (28 to 40 inches). Their wingspan usually measures between 1.8 and 2.3 meters (5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 7 inches). Adult Bald Eagles weigh between approximately 3 and 6.3 kilograms (6.6 and 13.9 pounds).
Golden Eagles have a body length between 66 and 102 centimeters (26 to 40 inches). Their wingspan is often slightly wider, ranging from 1.8 to 2.34 meters (5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 8 inches). Golden Eagles typically weigh between 2.8 and 6.7 kilograms (6.2 and 14.8 pounds), with females averaging around 5.1 kilograms (11 pounds) and males around 3.6 kilograms (7.9 pounds). While Bald Eagles tend to be slightly heavier on average, Golden Eagles generally possess a slightly longer wingspan.
Key Visual Identifiers
Beyond size, several distinct visual cues can help differentiate between Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles. Adult Bald Eagles are readily identifiable by their striking white heads and tails, which contrast sharply with their dark brown bodies and wings. Their beaks and legs are a bright yellow. Immature Bald Eagles, however, do not have this classic white head and tail; instead, they display mostly dark heads and tails, with varying amounts of white mottling across their bodies and wings. It takes about five years for a young Bald Eagle to acquire its full adult plumage.
Golden Eagles, in contrast, are dark brown overall, with a noticeable golden-brown sheen on the back of their heads and necks. A distinguishing feature of Golden Eagles is their fully feathered legs, extending down to their toes. Bald Eagles, however, have unfeathered legs. Immature Golden Eagles are also dark brown, but they often have neatly defined white patches at the base of their tails and in their wings, particularly visible on the underside of the primaries. These white patches on young Golden Eagles become darker as the bird matures.
Habitat and Behavioral Differences
Habitat preferences and hunting behaviors further distinguish these two eagle species. Bald Eagles are typically found near large bodies of open water, such as lakes, rivers, coastlines, and estuaries, because their primary diet consists of fish. They often nest in tall trees near these water sources and tend to avoid areas with significant human disturbance. These eagles are opportunistic feeders, supplementing their fish diet with mammals, gulls, waterfowl, and carrion.
Golden Eagles prefer open country, including mountains, grasslands, canyonlands, and semi-arid regions. They generally build their nests on cliffs or in large trees within these expansive landscapes. Golden Eagles are primarily carnivores, predominantly hunting small to medium-sized mammals like hares, rabbits, and ground squirrels. They are more active predators compared to the more scavenging nature of Bald Eagles.