Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle
Adult
- Large and stocky raptor with relatively small head
- Similar in shape to Buteo hawks, but larger
- Mostly dark brown overall
- Golden blonde nape and crown
- © Ron Kube, AB, Calgary, March 2011
Golden Eagle
Adult
- Very large raptor with relatively small head
- Structure similar to Buteo hawks, but larger
- Golden blonde nape distinctive
- Mostly dark brown overall
- © Ron Kube, AB, Nanton, February 2010
Golden Eagle
Juvenile
- Large raptor with long wings that bulge near body
- Mostly dark brown overall
- Juveniles show distinct white patches on wings and at base of tail
- Often soars with wings held up at slight angle
- © hawk person, CA, Coyote Valley, August 2011
Golden Eagle
Adult
- Large raptor with long wings
- Solid chocolate brown overall
- Distinctive golden-blonde nape often visible in flight
- Buffy orange undertail coverts
- © B.N. Singh, MD, Blackwater NWR, January 2010
Golden Eagle
Juvenile
- Large raptor with long wings that bulge slightly near body
- Juvenile shows white patches on wings and at base of tail
- Golden-blonde nape and crown
- Often soars with wings held up at slight angle
- © dwaynejava, ON, Holiday Beach, Amherstburg, November 2010
Golden Eagle
Juvenile
- Large raptor with long wings that bulge slightly near body
- Relatively small-headed
- Golden-blonde nape and crown
- Juvenile shows white patches on wings
- © Robinsegg, UT, Salt Lake County, January 2009
Golden Eagle
Juvenile
- Large, long-winged raptor
- Relatively small head with golden-blonde nape
- Juvenile shows white patches on wings and at base of tail
- Mostly dark brown overall
- © Jacqueline Deely, CA, Don Edwards NWR, Alviso, February 2011
Similar Species
Dark morph adult
- Smaller and more compact than Golden Eagle
- Rounded head
- Warm chestnut-brown wash across breast
- © Dennis Curry, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM, December 2008
Dark morph adult
- Smaller than Golden Eagle with shorter, narrower wings
- Two-toned underwing pattern
- Pale whitish undertail
- © Cameron Rognan, Washington, UT, February 2011
Adult
- Superficially similar to Golden Eagle but unfeathered red head is distinctive
- Longer and lankier than Golden Eagle
- Small white bill
- © bmse, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, CA, November 2010
Juvenile
- Similar to juvenile Golden Eagle but with larger head and more massive bill
- Solid dark crown and nape
- Black bill
- © CleberBirds, Orlando, FL, March 2011
Juvenile
- Similar to juvenile Bald Eagle but with broader wings held straight
- Large head and massive black bill
- Extensive white mottling on underwings with no distinct patches or spots
- Dark nape and crown
- © Roger P. Kirchen, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, July 2011