Key Takeaways Bald eagle eye color is an area of interest for those fascinated by these majestic birds. The eye color of bald eagles has significant symbolism and represents their strength, wisdom, and connection to nature. Variations in bald eagle eye color are influenced by age, genetics, and environmental conditions.
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey that is indigenous to North America. As the national symbol of the United States, the bald eagle is a well. The "bald" eagle got its name from the Middle English word "balde" which means white-headed (not hairless!).
"Golden" eagles likely got their name from the top and back of their head and neck, which are a beautiful golden color. A practiced eye can identify the age of a young Bald Eagle based on their plumage and eye and beak color. Once the eagles mature in their fifth year, their classic Bald Eagle appearance doesn't change for the rest of their life and it's nearly impossible to tell how old they are from outward appearances.
An adult bald eagle calls to mind something more like a flying board, perhaps a snowboard, though that last image overstates the roundness of the wingtips considerably. But it looks a good deal more aerodynamic and less hulking. The tails of juveniles are also longer, which means their shape is a bit more like golden eagles.
Wingspan 6.5-8 feet; length 31-37 inches. Adults have a dark brown body with a white head and tail, yellow eyes and beak. Immature eagles are all dark with some white mottled in the wings and tail.
Their eyes and beak are dark. They attain adult plumage and yellow eye/beak color by the time they are around 5 years old. Audio file Bald eagle.
Adult Bald Eagles, for example, undergo a distinct change from dark brown juvenile eyes to the characteristic bright yellow eyes of their adult phase. In contrast, Golden Eagles often maintain their brown or hazel eye color into adulthood, though their juvenile eyes are also darker brown. Why? A: Generally, eagle eyes are pretty consistent in color.
Nestling eagles eyes are nearly black. Juvenile eagles (first year birds just out of the nest), have brown eyes (which can vary in how light or dark they are, but usually they are pretty dark). As they become immature eagles (ages 2,3), their eye lightens to a light brown.
Eye Color of Bald Eagles: The iris of their eyes will be dark brown when the Bald Eagle hatches, and through the next four years, their eye color will become lighter brown with golden flecks. This is the normal appearance of the Bald Eagle's eye. In adult birds, eye color is typically some shade of yellow with a distinctly visible pupil (though juvenile birds have much darker eyes).
1/2000, f/8. ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc But every few seconds the bird swipes the nictitating membrane across the eye to moisten and lubricate it.