Bald Eagle

Description:

Large raptor.
Mostly seen around bodies of water.
Adults have distinctive white head and tail.
Juveniles are dark with white underwing coverts, whitish streaks on the tail and pale body.
Soars on long, broad, rounded wings.
Often flying in wide circles.
Flight is steady, slow moving, on flat wings. They are often referred to as “flying boards” because the wings are so flat.

The difference between a juvenile Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle:

The Golden Eagle has white at the base of the tail and black terminal band (outer part of the tail).
The juvenile Bald Eagle has white mottling throughout including the axillaries (armpits).
The Golden Eagle does not have white mottling in the axillaries.
The Golden Eagle has well defined white patches that vary is size.
The juvenile Bald Eagle has a brown tail with white mottling, brown tip.
The Golden Eagle is larger than the Bald Eagle.