How to Identify North American Eagles

The Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle are both magnificent inhabitants of North America. The Bald Eagle is the national symbol of the United States, with wingspans as long as 90 inches, and was endangered in the second half of the 20th century. It has made a gradual comeback since then and was reclassified as "threatened" in 1995. These eagles can live as long as 50 years, though 30 is the norm.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Binoculars
• Birding field guide

1. Observe where the birds live. Bald Eagles can be seen almost anywhere in North America, from deserts to forests, but are numerous in a few areas, including Alaska and Florida. Golden Eagles live in wilderness areas, more often in the western part of the United States.

2. Note the color of the birds. The Bald Eagle is speckled dark brown, with a white head and tail feathers when mature, whereas the Golden Eagle is solid brown, with golden feathers on the nape of the neck.

3. Listen to their song. The Golden Eagle is usually silent, but sometimes you can hear yelping whistles. The Bald Eagle has a weak chattering sound.

4. Watch the birds feeding. They feed on carrion and small animals and they sometimes steal fish from Osprey. The Golden Eagle can take prey as large as jackrabbits, lambs and small deer.

5. Notice the eagles gathering where there are large concentrations of fish, especially at fish spawning times. This makes it easy for the eagles to find a meal!

Tips & Warnings

• Consider joining one of the organizations that help to preserve the habitat of North America's birds.