Golden Eagle Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesGolden Eagle

Adult

Very large with long wings. All dark brown, with slightly paler flight feathers. Golden nape can be seen from some angles.

Immature

Very large with long wings. All dark brown, with white patches at the base of the primaries in the wing, and at the base of the tail. Golden nape can be seen from some angles.

Adult and juvenile

Builds large stick nests, often on cliff faces. Note golden feathers on nape (back of the neck)—usually present on immatures through adults.

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Immature

Juvenile is dark brown overall, with a golden head and nape, white base to the tail, and white wing patches (but these patches are often absent from the upperwing and sometimes missing from the underwing).

Adult

Very large with strongly hooked bill. All dark brown, with contrasting golden-brown nape.

Immature

Large, bulky eagle with strongly hooked bill. In addition to hunting, often eats roadkill or other carrion, and may be found near road edges. Immatures have white patches at the bases of the primaries.

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Immature

Very large with strongly hooked bill. All dark brown, with contrasting golden-brown nape. Immatures have a white base to the tail, visible from some angles.

Immature

Shows a golden nape in all plumages.

Adult

Soars with wings slightly raised in a V, or dihedral. In silhouette, typically shows a small head and long tail. The broad wings narrow in sharply at the body. Golden nape feathers are often surprisingly visible from distance.

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Immature

Often occurs in open habitats with mountains or rolling hills.

Immature

Juvenile has a golden head and nape and a dark brown body.

Juvenile

Young chicks are white and downy until they grow their first brown body and flight feathers. The large stick nests are often placed on cliff ledges and used year after year.

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Immature (with Bald Eagle)

Very large with long wings. All dark brown, with white patches at the base of the primaries in the wing, and at the base of the tail. Golden nape can be seen from some angles. (Golden Eagle at right; Bald Eagle at left.)