The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a majestic bird of prey indigenous to North America, is not actually bald. Its name derives from an older meaning of "white headed," referencing the striking contrast between its chocolate-brown body and its snow-white head and tail. The adult bald eagle is unmistakable within its range, with a robust build, a heavy head, and a powerful beak. The plumage of immature eagles is a mottled brown, with the distinctive white head and tail feathers not appearing until four to five years of age.
Adult bald eagles are primarily brown with a white head and tail, and their eyes, beak, and talons are bright yellow. Females are about 25 percent larger than males. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being larger, averaging up to 5.6 kg (12 lb), compared to the males' average of 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). The beak is large, hooked, and yellow. Juveniles lack the white head and tail, featuring a brown plumage overlaid with white until they reach maturity.
Bald eagles favor habitats near large bodies of open water with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting. They are found in environments ranging from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and the deciduous forests of Quebec and New England.
The bald eagle's range spans most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. They are migratory in the northern parts of their range and resident in the southern parts.
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