For animal enthusiasts, particularly those with a keen interest in birds of prey, the bald eagle and golden eagle are two of the most majestic and awe-inspiring species. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in terms of appearance, behavior, and geographical distribution.

Size and Appearance

The bald eagle and golden eagle are both large birds of prey, but they can be distinguished by their unique physical characteristics.

Bald Eagle

• Adult bald eagles have a distinctive white head and tail, contrasting with their dark brown body and wings.
• The beak of an adult bald eagle is large and yellow, while the eyes are bright yellow.
• Immature bald eagles lack the distinctive white head and tail, instead having a mottled brown appearance.
• The legs and feet of a bald eagle are yellow, and they do not have feathers on their legs all the way down to their feet.

Golden Eagle

• Adult golden eagles have a dark brown body and wings, with a golden-colored head and neck.
• The beak of a golden eagle is larger than that of a bald eagle, but not as yellow; it is more of a dark gray or black color.
• The eyes of a golden eagle are dark brown.
• Immature golden eagles have a similar appearance to adults, but with a less distinct golden color on their head and neck.
• Golden eagles have feathers on their legs all the way down to their feet, which can help distinguish them from bald eagles.

Behavior and Habitat

Image source: Pexels by Anrita Krause

Bald eagles and golden eagles also differ in their behavior and preferred habitats.

Bald Eagle

• Bald eagles are primarily fish-eaters, and they are often found near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and coastlines.
• They are known to steal food from other birds, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism.
• Bald eagles are more tolerant of human presence than golden eagles and can often be found near human settlements.

Golden Eagle

• Golden eagles have a more varied diet, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
• They prefer open habitats, such as mountains, deserts, and grasslands.
• Golden eagles tend to avoid human presence and are less tolerant of human disturbance than bald eagles.

Geographical Distribution

The geographical distribution of bald eagles and golden eagles also overlaps in some areas, but they have distinct ranges.

Bald Eagle

• Bald eagles are found throughout North America, from Alaska and Canada down to Mexico.
• They are most common in coastal areas and near large bodies of water.

Golden Eagle

• Golden eagles have a wider geographical distribution, ranging across Europe, Asia, and North America.
• In North America, they are most common in the western United States and Canada, with some populations migrating to Mexico during the winter.
• Golden eagles prefer open habitats and are less commonly found near human settlements than bald eagles.

Conservation Status

Both bald eagles and golden eagles have faced conservation challenges in the past, but their populations have rebounded in recent years due to conservation efforts.

Bald Eagle

• The bald eagle was once listed as endangered in the United States due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and hunting.
• However, thanks to conservation efforts, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007 and is now considered a species of least concern.

Golden Eagle

• The golden eagle is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in North America, but it does face conservation challenges.
• Habitat loss, collisions with wind turbines, and lead poisoning from ingesting spent lead ammunition are among the threats facing golden eagles.

Incidents and Statistics

There have been several notable incidents involving bald eagles and golden eagles in recent years.

Bald Eagle

• In 2020, a bald eagle was found dead in Illinois with a lead fishing tackle embedded in its throat, highlighting the threat of lead poisoning to these birds.
• In 2021, a pair of bald eagles in Minnesota successfully raised three eaglets, a rare occurrence that attracted national attention.

Golden Eagle

• In 2019, a golden eagle was found dead in California with a gunshot wound, prompting an investigation by wildlife authorities.
• In 2020, a golden eagle was spotted in Arizona with a tracking device attached to its leg, providing valuable data on its movements and behavior.

References:
– How Golden and Bald Eagles are Different. (2016, June 20). Center of the West. https://centerofthewest.org/2016/06/20/golden-bald-eagles-different/
– is this a bald eagle or a golden eagle and how do you tell the difference??? (2023, November 5). Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/birding/comments/17o125k/is_this_a_bald_eagle_or_a_golden_eagle_and_how_do/
– Bald Eagle VS Golden Eagle – YouTube. (2023, May 23). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj5SkUggOpM
– Is That Golden Eagle Actually a Bald Eagle? – National Audubon Society. (2018, July 3). https://www.audubon.org/news/is-golden-eagle-actually-bald-eagle
– What’s the difference?: Bald eagle vs. golden eagle. (2022, November 22). Reconnect with Nature. https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/what-the-difference-bald-eagle-vs-golden-eagle/.