Yes, female bald eagles have white heads, just like males. This characteristic white head and tail plumage is a feature of mature bald eagles, regardless of sex. It serves as a visual indicator of adulthood, not a way to distinguish between sexes. Both adult male and female bald eagles exhibit this striking combination of a snow-white head and tail, sharply contrasting with their dark brown bodies.
Plumage Development in Bald Eagles
The distinctive white head and tail of a bald eagle are not present at birth but develop over several years as the bird matures. Young bald eagles, known as juveniles, begin with mostly dark brown or mottled brown and white plumage. Their beaks are initially dark, and their eyes are brown.
During their first year, bald eagles are typically dark brown, with some white flecking on their undersides. By their second year, they develop more white mottling on their chest and wings, and their beaks and eyes begin to lighten. The transformation continues, with more white feathers appearing on the head and tail by three and a half years, though some dark patches may remain. Bald eagles typically acquire their full adult plumage, including the pure white head and tail, when they reach sexual maturity, usually between four and five years of age.
Distinguishing Between Male and Female Bald Eagles
Since adult bald eagles of both sexes share the same plumage, telling males and females apart visually relies on more subtle differences, primarily size. Females are noticeably larger than males, a characteristic referred to as reverse sexual dimorphism, which is common in many birds of prey. On average, female bald eagles can be about one-third larger and weigh significantly more than males. Females typically weigh between 10 to 15 pounds, while males usually weigh 5 to 10 pounds.
This size difference also extends to other physical features, such as wingspan, beaks, and talons. Female bald eagles generally have a larger wingspan, which can reach up to 8 feet, compared to males whose wingspan might be around 6 feet. Their beaks are often deeper, and their rear talon, known as the hallux, tends to be longer. Therefore, in the field, size remains the most practical, though not always definitive, indicator for distinguishing between male and female bald eagles.