The bald eagle is one of the largest birds in the Northeast. In profile, as it flies toward you, its wings are held straight out; the more common turkey vulture soars with its wings held in a V-shape. As the eagle passes overhead, the feathers at the tips of its wings are widely separated, and its relatively short tail is usually fanned open.

Height: 30 inches

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Wing Span: 6-7 feet

Adult Color: (by about 5 years)

• white head and tail

• dark brown body and wings

• bright orange-yellow beak and feet

• lemon yellow iris

Immature Color:

• chocolate brown mottled with white

• black beak gradually lightens to a spotty horn color

• dark brown iris gradually lightens to pale yellow

Male and female eagles look identical, although females are usually the larger of the two.

​

Eagles have an external naris on both sides of their beak. A eagle never reaches speeds that would interfere with normal breathing. An eagle's lungs and air sac system are adequate for its size. Air moves in through the lungs and on into the air sacs before moving back through the lungs and out again.

 

Average Lifespan

Bald Eagle: 20 years old

Crowned: Eagle 14 years old