Bald eagle  (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Instantly recognisable as the national emblem of the United States, the bald eagle has long been a key symbol in the human cultures of the Americas. The second largest North American bird of prey after the Californian condor (2), it is also the only eagle solely native to North America (5). This majestic species is named for the conspicuous white head, which, contrary to the name, is in fact fully feathered, and contrasts strongly with the dark brown body and wings. The tail is also white, and the legs, eye and large beak are bright yellow (2) (3) (5) (6). The wings are long and broad, and the tail rounded. The female bald eagle is larger than the male, but otherwise similar in appearance (2) (3) (5). The call of this species is relatively weak, seeming rather inadequate for such a large bird (3).

The juvenile bald eagle can be recognised by its entirely dark brown plumage, mottled with white, and by the dark eye and beak. It takes at least five years to reach full adult plumage. Although similar in appearance to the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, the juvenile bald eagle can be distinguished by its unfeathered lower legs (2) (3) (5) (6). Two subspecies of bald eagle are generally recognised, the northern Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus, and the smaller, southern H. l. leucocephalus. However, the boundaries between the two are not clearly defined (2) (3).