The majestic Bald Eagle and the powerful Golden Eagle are two of North America’s most recognizable birds of prey. This article explores their distinct features, providing a clearer understanding of these magnificent raptors.
Size Comparison
The Golden Eagle generally edges out the Bald Eagle in overall size, particularly in wingspan and weight. Golden Eagles typically have a wingspan ranging from 5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 8 inches (1.8 to 2.34 meters), while Bald Eagles range from 5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 7 inches (1.8 to 2.3 meters). Both species are similarly sized in body length, measuring around 28 to 40 inches (70 to 102 cm) from head to tail.
Adult Golden Eagles typically weigh between 6 to 15 pounds (2.8 to 6.7 kg), with females being larger than males. Bald Eagles generally weigh between 6.5 to 14 pounds (2.95 to 6.35 kg), and females are also considerably larger, often up to 25% heavier than males. While overlap exists, the Golden Eagle often has a slightly higher average and maximum weight.
Distinguishing Features
Beyond size, several visual cues differentiate Bald Eagles from Golden Eagles. Adult Bald Eagles are recognized by their distinct white head and tail, contrasting with their dark brown body and wings. Their beak and legs are bright yellow. Adult Golden Eagles display uniform dark brown plumage with a characteristic golden-brown sheen on the nape of their neck, which gives them their name.
Juvenile plumage differs significantly between the two species. Young Bald Eagles are mostly dark brown with varying amounts of white mottling on their bodies and underwings, gradually developing their white head and tail over several years, usually by age five. Juvenile Golden Eagles, however, typically have white patches at the base of their primary flight feathers and a white tail with a dark terminal band, which diminishes with age. Another key difference lies in their leg feathering: Golden Eagles have feathers extending to their toes, while Bald Eagles have unfeathered lower legs. In flight, Bald Eagles tend to hold their wings flat, like a board, while Golden Eagles often hold their wings in a slight “V” shape or dihedral.
Habitat and Hunting
Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles occupy different ecological niches, influencing their preferred habitats and hunting strategies. Bald Eagles are primarily associated with water, favoring large bodies of open water like lakes, rivers, coastlines, and marshes, where fish are abundant. They are opportunistic feeders, often snatching fish from the water’s surface with their talons. They also scavenge carrion and may steal food from other birds like ospreys.
Golden Eagles typically inhabit open or semi-open landscapes, including mountainous regions, prairies, deserts, and tundra. They are powerful predators that primarily hunt small to medium-sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, and marmots. They also prey on birds and reptiles. Golden Eagles use their keen eyesight to spot prey from high perches or while soaring, then execute swift, powerful dives to capture their quarry on the ground. While they can consume carrion, they are less reliant on it than Bald Eagles.