Female Bald Eagles (Identification Guide)

The bald eagle is one of the most iconic birds in the world. Widely distributed across North America and northern Mexico, these large, majestic birds of prey are easy to spot due to their white heads and tails. Here, we take an in-depth look at the female bald eagle.

Like most birds of prey, female bald eagles were 20% to 28% larger than males and weighed 1 kg more (4.2 kg versus 5.3 kg in one study). Their rear-facing hallux is larger than the male’s and their beaks are slightly deeper, but otherwise they are very similar in appearance. Females usually brood more eggs than males and have the primary role in raising the chicks, but males also contribute, with some duties shared relatively equally.

Female bald eagle (left) and male bald eagle – see size difference

In the vast majority of bird species, males are usually slightly or considerably larger than females. In birds of prey, however, the opposite is true, with females always being larger than males.

There are some theories about this; the difference in size may allow the females to fight off aggressive males, or enable them to hunt larger prey, meaning the pair could diversify their hunting specialties. But perhaps the most convincing theory is that their larger size allows females to more effectively defend their nests from predators.

Both male and female bald eagles play an important role in raising chicks. A pair stays together for life, but some may divorce due to failure to raise healthy chicks.

Of course, there is still a lot to learn about female bald eagles. Read on to learn more about these iconic birds of prey!

A pair of bald eagles perched – female (left) and male (right)

How to tell the difference between male and female bald eagles?

Size is the main difference between male and female bald eagles. Females are 1/3 (33%) larger than males. This difference varies by region – women are typically 20% to 28% larger than men.

This size difference is evident in the birds’ wingspan, as females can be up to 2 feet larger than males. Female bald eagles are also about 35 to 37 inches long, while males are generally 30 to 34 inches long.

A side-by-side comparison should make females relatively easy to distinguish from males in size alone. Apart from their large size, there is little visual difference between male and female bald eagles.

You can only tell the difference between male and female bald eagles by their size, the females are larger

What does a female vulture look like?

Female bald eagles are larger and heavier than males—they can have a wingspan as much as 2 feet and weigh more than 1 kilogram.

Other than that, female bald eagles look identical to males in color. They are predominantly dark brown with a bright white head and tail. It is impossible to tell male and female bald eagles apart by color alone.

There are two other subtle visual differences between male and female bald eagles:

Claw length

Vultures have three forward-facing talons and one rear-facing talon (the hallux). Female bald eagles have much larger hind claws. Females also have larger foot pads. These are the most effective methods of determining the sex of vulture chicks.

beak

Female vultures typically have larger and deeper beaks than males. Coupled with larger claws, female bald eagles can catch larger prey than male bald eagles.

Bald eagle soaring in the sky

Are male and female bald eagles the same color?

Male and female bald eagles do not differ in color, nor do they molt differently from juvenile to adult.

You can’t tell male and female bald eagles apart by color or plumage alone.

Do female bald eagles have white heads?

Both adult male and female bald eagles have white heads and no other color differences. The female bald eagle’s head is white, like the male’s.

In fact, male and female bald eagles are nearly identical in color and plumage—the main difference being that females are about 25 percent larger than males.

Bald eagle drinking water from the lake

Are female vultures bigger than males?

Female bald eagles are 20% to 33% larger than males. In terms of body mass, females were approximately 1 to 1.4 kg heavier than males (4.2 kg versus 5.3 kg in one study).

Female bald eagles are also about 35 to 37 inches long, while males are generally 30 to 34 inches long. Females have a wingspan 1 to 2 feet larger than males.

Size differences between male and female bald eagles vary by region, and tend to be more pronounced in northern latitudes of their range, such as Canada and Alaska.

Female (left) and male (right) bald eagles in flight

nesting

Vultures form strong monogamous partnerships that often last a lifetime. The annual divorce rate is around 5% to 15%, depending on the region.

When it comes to raising chicks, the male and female share many responsibilities. Usually the female chooses the nesting site, the male collects the material, and the female builds the nest. When eggs are laid, they are hatched by the female most of the time (about 70% to 90%).

Once the eggs hatch, the female remains in the nest about 90 percent of the time. This may be crucial in explaining why females are larger than males, as females become very protective of the nest during this time, and her extra large size allows her to fend off more predators than males. However, male birds are also very territorial about the nest. Interestingly, females usually drive off females, and males usually drive off males.

Meanwhile, the males will forage for food for the chicks, which they then give to the females to tear up and feed to the chicks. This would explain why females have deeper and larger beaks than males. After about 2 weeks each month, the female joins the male in hunting for the chicks.

Bald eagles build a nest together, males bring back materials, females assemble

calling and singing

The calls of female and male bald eagles are very similar, very soft, subtle, and whistle-like. Females may be slightly less vocal than males.

Females also have a distinctive soft, whistling call, consisting of repeating a high pitch, which is believed to signal to males that she is ready to mate.

courtship

Although females are larger than males, courting females is still the main responsibility of males. Bald eagle courtship is spectacular, with males swooping, chasing, cartwheeling and tumbling through the air. They fly boldly over the ground and dive towards it with incredible speed.

Male bald eagles are more agile and faster than females, so they are usually more efficient at hunting food. As a result, females can capture larger prey, but males are more successful at hunting.

Close up portrait of a bald eagle

Can female bald eagles raise offspring alone?

Male and female bald eagles form strong, lifelong mates and share many responsibilities. While females can hatch their own chicks, it is extremely difficult to feed them on their own. The role of males in raising offspring is crucial.

During the first two weeks to a month after hatching, the male hunts for the chicks while the female guards the nest. After that, both males and females usually need to find food for the hungry chicks.

Rarely, females join another pair of bald eagles to assist them in raising their chicks, but little is known about this behavior.

What is the female bald eagle’s name?

The female bald eagle has no specific name. Both male and female bald eagles are referred to simply as “bald eagles”.