Bald Eagle (American Eagle)

The Bald Eagle is a majestic raptor of North America, instantly recognizable in adulthood by its striking white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body and bright yellow bill and feet. As apex predators, they soar effortlessly on broad wings with a wingspan reaching up to 7 feet.

Distinct bicolored pattern featuring a crisp transition from clean white at the basal and middle portions to a dark brownish-black tip, melanin-based pigmentation

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure near the tip grading into a semiplume-like fluffy base, intact and strong barbs with well-developed hooklets

Smooth, slightly stiff and glossy pennaceous tip with a softer, downy base; waterproof and clean surface with matte texture on the dark terminal zone

Sharp bicolored contrast featuring a stark dark terminal tip against a pristine white base, stout pale rachis, and broad rounded contour shape unique to large adult eagles

Found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting, including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and coastal marine areas

North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada down through the contiguous United States and into northern Mexico

Apex avian predator helping to maintain healthy fish and waterfowl populations while serving as a prominent biological indicator of aquatic ecosystem health

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which lacks the clean white base on body contour feathers and tends to show more uniform brown or tawny tones

Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, sometimes reusing and adding to the same massive nest for decades until it weighs over a ton

Good condition with minor wear at the extreme tip, intact vane structure, clean barbs, and no visible fault bars or parasitic damage