

There are plenty of medium-to-large birds with white heads, including egrets, owls, cockatoos, and owls, but none boast that stunning contrast. The bald eagle is actually the only bird of its size and shape with a distinct white head that is in contrast to the rest of its body. Many Birds have white heads, but what about large birds of prey? Are there others with that easily recognizable white head that can be seen on a bald eagle? Is the Bald Eagle the Only White-Headed Bird? The transition from brown-to-white head feathers happens gradually between years 3 and 5. They don’t develop their white head feathers until they mature at about 5. Juveniles are all brown, with white mottling all over their bodies. The head of adults has head coloration and darker heads which are embodied in unique body structures. They both have dark chocolate brown bodies, including their wings and an all-white head. These distinctive features help to identify individual birds. Adults look the same, regardless of sex, although females are larger and have a wider wingspan. Many people thought they spotted a bald eagle but saw a different raptor.īeing able to differentiate between raptors is a useful birding skill! It’s far more common to see these birds from a distance than up close, so knowing as much as possible about the birds of prey in your area is a great idea! What Do Bald Eagles Look Like?īald eagles are stunning birds. Was that really a bald eagle?īirds of prey often look similar, especially from a distance.

The first time I saw a bald eagle soaring above the woods at my house, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
