Bald Eagle (American Eagle)

The Bald Eagle is North America's iconic sea eagle, immediately recognizable by its striking white head and tail contrasting against a dark brown body and wings, with bright yellow bill and feet. This large raptor possesses powerful eyesight and an imposing presence.

Bicolored pattern featuring a crisp, solid white distal tip sharply demarcated from a dark slate-grey to brownish-black basal portion, with a white-to-grey central rachis

Pennaceous upper vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning to a plumulaceous (fluffy downy) base with an afterfeather

Smooth and firm along the pennaceous distal portion, becoming soft and fluffy near the base with a matte surface finish

Sharp, clean demarcation between a solid white distal tip and dark charcoal-black body coloration on a large, robust contour feather

Found near large bodies of open water with old-growth trees for nesting and perching, including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, coastal estuaries, and marine shores

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

Apex avian predator that helps maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems by preying primarily on fish, waterfowl, and small mammals, while also acting as an important scavenger

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which lacks the stark white breast feather patterning and has brownish, lanceolate hackle feathers on the neck

Bald Eagles can reach speeds of up to 100 mph during a diving swoop for fish, and their massive nests can weigh up to three tons after being reused and added to over many years

Good overall condition with intact barbs and a clean shaft, showing minimal wear or fraying