Aging Bald Eagles William S, Clark* ult Bald Eagles are easily recog nized by almost anyone in the U.S. “\ and Canada, and certainly by all binders. However, the darker-headed imma- tures (such as the individual in Figure 1) are somewhat more dificult to identify as Bald Eagles and even harder to assign a5 to age class. Up until the early 1980s, it was common lore that Bald Eagles took six years to reach adult plumage, based on several studies of captive eagles (eg., Southern 1967). Since then, it has been shown that captive raptors mature more slowly than free-living ones. Gerrard and Boriolou (1988), McCollough (1989) and | independently determined that Bald Eagles are able to reach full adult ‘plumage in four years; however, some take fan extra year to do so. In June and again in ‘August 1981, I photographed a banded Bald Eagle that was in full adult plumage (Figure 2); Iwas able to read its band number using a telescope from inside a blind. My banding team had tagged this eagle in the nest in May of 1977, fixing its age at only four years old ‘Therefore, there are four age-classes of 7800 Dossett Cour (Apt. No. 101) ‘Annandele, Virginia 22003 ‘aptours@erols.com immatures. Each immature plumage is worn for about a year, and the next plumage is acquired in the annual molt. My colleague, Brian Wheeler, and 1 already have described and depicted the age-clases of Bald Eagles and how to distinguish them (Clark and Wheeler 1987, Wheeler and Clark 1995). Many of the characters used in aging Bald Eagles were noted over my several years of observations of known-age eagles made from a blind on a pond in Virginia and from detailed examinations of eagle specimens by Brian Wheeler and me. McCollough (1989) described the same sequence of plumages, based on observing known-age eagles at a winter feeding ste in Maine, However, he described only the differences in head char- acters and did not note the differences in body plumages that we described . While he ‘mentioned the molt of fight feathers, he did not emphasize it ‘This article describes (and illustrates through photos) the field marks that will accurately assign anage class to immature Bald Eagles seen well in the field, ether perched or in flight. These characters are summarized in Table 1. Used here is the WSC co-authored A Field Guide fo Howks (Houghton Milo, 1987) ond {A Photographic Guide fo North American Raptors Academic, 1995), both with Brian K: Whesler, ond, mos cently euhored, A Field Guide othe Roptors of Europe, the Middle Eoe, ond Nort Alico [Oxford University Pres, 1999) He is working on both rapier field ond photo guides for Aiea, teoches raptor ID workshops, and leads raplorerenied bird tours eround the world €00ET 19Figure 1. Basie | Bold Eaple. Basic | eagles in fight show whitish bales hot contrast with dork brea! and ragged iriling edges of wings. Ths indvidal hhas mod the usual numberof secondaries, hovng rploced S1-S2, $556, ond $12'S14 with shorter Feathers The hwo groups of rlcined juvenile second fies, 5354 ond S71, project beyond the ohers. New secondaries have blot ips retained jvenla ones have poinod ips, Nofe white ‘wing pis Immcture eogls. (Alaska, Match 2000)Figure 9. Juvenile Bold Eagle. Ce ‘May in Gcteber; bonded in ‘York the previous July. Juveniles have dork heads locking ntceably pale cows, dark brown tyes, dark gray cores and books, and towny bet Fes that contrast wth the dark brown breos Underside ffl ity white wih dark mot ing, dark band on ip, and dark cuter wabs 00 Feathers, Note the white oxilaries or wing pit shown by all immature Bald Eogle. (New Jersey, tober 1992) 20 BIRDING * FEBRUARY 2001 Figure 2. Adult Bold Eagle. Tie individual in fll ‘du pumoge with compately white heod ond ‘ol is only four years old. wor oged by read: ing te lag band ung @ielescope. [Vigiio, ‘Aas 19811, Figure 4 Jere Bol Eagle. Cope of Ca Moy in Goiber; bonded nt ns in NY the previous Js ovens hove lowny-brown boc [ecking whe spoting ond wotonod vp sting townyrown Covers cnton wih dork “owe igh Teaors Note he dork al wis sol ova, whilah potch ond the pointed pa nthe secondaries. (New lerey, Getaber 1992)Figure 5 veil Bld Eope. Typical juvenile ‘wih dark heod showing only 0 font poe crown, {ork brown eyes, dark poy cere ond beak, nd tony belly ot contrasts with he dark brown treet tong dark brown ti shoves whitish mot ting. A nmotre Bold Eagles show pale lores ‘and yellow gape. (Woshinglon, February 1994) Figure 6. Jvenile Bold Eagle. Joven in ight show lowny belles thot contrast wih darker treads ond even but genly aerated ing edge of wings [poled tpt ofthe secondorie. ‘Wings oppear wider thon hore of olor sols, ‘os he secondaries ore longer, Note ol dark ‘beak ond core and white "wing pits’ of immoture ‘gles, [Weshinglon, February 2000) WAM SCARE Figue 7 lvenile Bold Eagle. Perched juvenile show brown back lacking whitish mating ond tewny-browm opperwing covets hat contort ‘wih dork brown fight Feathers, Not dark heod wih only font lly coven, dark brown ayes, ‘ond dark gray core and beak. (Weshington, February 1995) ‘WRIA SCAR AGING BALD EAGLES 2standard AOU nomenclature for the four immature age classes: Juvenile, Basic I, Basic 1, and Basic 1, a first indicated by McCollough, but for clarity wall use “adult” in lieu of “Definitive Basic.” A few of the photographs used in this article are not up to the usual standards of Birding. They are included here because they are more representa- tive of the views we get of eagles in the field or because they are photographs of known-age eagles that were taken before I had upgraded my telephoto lens. Juvenile. The most distinctive immature plumage is that acquired in the nest, the juvenal plumage. Figures 3 and 4 are photographs of 2 juvenile captured on migration at Cape May, New Jersey, in ‘October 1992: it had been banded in the nest in New York State in July of the same year. Juveniles have dark heads, ‘with at most a hint of a pale crown, dark brown eyes, and dark gray beaks and ceres (Figures 3-8). All immature Bald Eagles have pale lores and a yellow gape: these characters are not useful in aging. ‘Their bellies are tawny to tawny-brown, lacking extensive whitish motling (although they can fade to creamy or off-white), and usually contrast with their dark brown breasts (Figures 5 and 6). The tailing edges of their wings are relatively smooth as all of the secondar= les are the same length, but appear gen- tly serrated, as each secondary has pointed tip (Figures 4 and 6). The tawny-brown backs lack white spotting (Figures 4 and 7), and the tawny-brown ‘upperwing coverts contrast with the dark brown uppersides of their Bight 2 Table T. Bald Eagle Aging Characters Character Juvenile Basic! | Basie | Basic It ‘Crown Faint buffy or | Wide buffy Wide whitish | (Head whitish) absent oo ‘Throat and Dark brown. Brown to Whitish (Head whitish) cheeks duty Eye-tines No Rarely ves ometimes Eyes T Dark brown ‘Medium to ‘Whitish Pale yellow pale brown Gere Dark gray ray wath Yellow Yellow Beak | Dark gay | Medium gray | Wow paces | Yelow | telly “Tawny brown | Dark, whitish | Dark, whitish | Dark, a few matting mmotting. | white spots Back Tawy-brown | Dark, whitish | Dark, whitish | Dark, afew triangle triangle white spots Upperwing | away: brows, Dark brown, | Dark brown, | Dark brown covers conttstw/ | white spots, | white spots dark fight | no.contast’ | no contrast |___ feathers Taling edge [Smooth Tagged smoati® | Sinaath of wings Sometimes one (Farely wo) longer juvenile secondary is retained on one or both wings. feathers, particularly noticeable when they ae in ight Figures 4 and 8). Their dark brown tails are longer than those of subsequent plumages and show variable amount of off-white motiing ‘on undersides and oval patches on the “uppersides; some juveniles have off white tails with dark tips and dark outer webs on each tail feather, appearing like those of older immatures. Note: Immature Bald Eagles in the first thee age classes show whitish axil- laries or ‘wing pits’ (Figures 1, 3, 6, 10, 14, and 15); these distinguish them from Golden Eagles, which always have dark brown axillaris (Figure 20) BIRDING + FEBRUARY 2001 Postjuvenile molt. Knowledge of mol, especially the order and amount of molt ‘on the primaries and secondaries, is important for aging older immatures. ‘The annual molt of Bald Eagles begins in ‘March, earlier for southern eagles and later for far-northern ones, and contin- vues until suspended with the onset of winter conditions, Molt of body feathers and coverts is almost complete, and usu ally the tal is completely replaced. “Most important is that not all of the primaries and secondaries are replaced in the first mol. Primary molt begins ‘with the inner primary (PL) and pro- ceeds sequentially outward (Miller 1941,Edelstam 1984); usually around four to seven inner primaries are teplaced in the first molt Edelstam 1984, Clark and Wheeler 1987). Secondary molt is more complex and begins at three molt centers: $1 (outer), $5, and at $14 (inner) (Miler 1941, delstam 1984). Molt proceeds inward from S1 and 55 and outward from S14. The new replacement secondaries are shorter than the remaining juvenile ones, resulting in @ ragged trailing edge (o the wing, noticeable on flying Bald Eagles (Figures 1, 10, and 11). New sec ondaties have blunt tips; retained juve- nile ones have pointed, often frayed tips Usually only about half ofthe secondar- ies are replaced, with three groups of new darker, shorter feathers: $1-S2, $5- $6, and $12-514 and two groups of old {faded and worn, longer feathers: $3-S4 and S7-S11 (Figure 1, see also photos BEOS and BEO6 in Wheeler and Clark 1995). Basic |. After the molt, the heads of Basic I Bald Eagles show bully crown and bully-to-brown cheeks and throat (Figures 1 and 9-12). The eyes have lightened to a medium or pale brown (occasionally whitish), the beak is now a medium to pale gray, but still appears dark, with some yellow noticeable on the cere, especially at the nostril slots (nares)(Figures 1 and 9-12). The bellies are now white, with a variable amount ‘of dark brown spotting, usually appear- ing quite white and contrasting with dark brown breast (Figures 1, 9, and 10), but occastonally dark with litle or no white showing (as in the Basic TL eagle in Figure 16). Likewise, the back feathers are white, with a variable amount of dark brown spotting, usually appearing as a whitish triangle notice- able on the back of perched eagles (Figure 12) and, visible on the upper- sides of flying eagles (Figure 11), but ‘occasionally dark with little or no white spotting. The upperwing coverts are dark brown, the same color as the uppersides of the flight feathers, and ‘usually show some whitish spots (Figure 11). Upperwings now lack the two- toned appearance of those of juveniles (Figure 11). ‘New tail feathers are mostly off-white with a variable amount of darkish mot- tling and wide dark brown tips and outer ‘webs; they are noticeably shorter than those of juveniles (Figures 10 and 11) The most distinctive feature of Basic 1 Bald Eagles inflight is the ragged trailing edge of the wings (Figures 1, 10, and 1D): this appearance is due to the mix of new shorter and retained longer second- aries, Most Bald Eagles have replaced about half oftheir secondaries (Figure 1); however, some southern eagles, espe- cially in Florida, have replaced all but S4 and $8-510 (Figure 10) because of the longer molt season, and others, presum- ably northern eagles with a shorter molt season, have replaced only four second- aries, $1, $5, and 513-514 (Figure 10, see also plate 20 in Clark and Wheeler 1987). New secondaries have blunt tips; retained juvenile ones have pointed ups. Note: The colors of the eyes, cere, and beak change gradually throughout the year. Basic Il. Basic Il Bald Eagles appear AGING BALD EAGLES rmuch the same as Basic I eagles, with ‘white bellies and white triangles on their ‘backs and similar patterns on under- ‘wings and tails, but differ on their heads and secondaries. Their heads now have ‘whitish crowns and extensive whitish on throat and cheeks, usually with resultant narrow Osprey-like dark eye-lines (Figures 13 and 14). Eyes are pale yel- Tow or whitish, the cere is completely yellow, and the beak has yellowish patches (Figures 13 and 14), The molt of the secondaries is now complete, and they are all the same length; the tailing edge of the wings is ‘now smooth (Figure 14), although a juvenile secondary (usually $9) and ‘outer primaries (P9-P10) are sometimes retained on one or both wings (Figure 19). Primary molt continues where it left off in post-juvenile molt and begins ‘anew at PI. P10 and rarely P9 are retained juvenile, and Pl and P2 are replaced again, ‘Some Basic | and II Bald Eagles have dark backs and bellies that show little oF no white (Figure 16); they are best aged using characters on the beak and cere, nd, in flight, the trailing edge of the wings. Bosic il, After sheir third annual molt, Basic II] Bald Eagles appear more adult- like. Their heads are now mostly white sometimes with a narrow dark eye-line (Figures 17 and 18), often with some brownish on crown, nape, and base of neck. The yellow beak shows some dusky smudges. The white on the neck does not extend as far down as that of adults (Figures 17 and 18). 23igre 8, Juvenile Bold Eogl. In igh ovens ‘how twotoned upperwings: townybrow Soyer contest with dork brown fight feather Brown back locke white moting. (inal, November 1983) Figure 9, Bosc | Bold Eagle, Second plumage togles show whish baller thot contest th ork brown brecsts and now have noticeably bay crowns, Eyes ae pale Yo modium brown foczesionclly whi), ces re paler gry with rome yllowsh, ek pler gray, ond cheoks ‘Seco! ore buy to brown. Al nmeoure Bold Eagles show poe lores and yeliow gps. wWosingin, Febrvory 1995) Figute 10. Bosc! Bold Eagle. Basic ogles in fight show whitish belles tho contest wih dork brea and ragged rating adges of wings. This presumably northern indidea hos undergone a Frnimom mel ef secondaries, replacing ony 8 $5812.13. The five mer primaries Rove been ‘aloced. Not the bul crown, brown chesks, pale to medium brown ayes, paler gray cere ‘th tome yellowish color ond paler gray beak Note white wing pir’ olFigue 11. Batic! Bold Eogl. In fight Bosc | ‘nd Il eagles show a noticeable whl rangle ff ther bocks Upperwings are nl wotone “his individual i @ Baie eagle because of he tagged waling edges ofthe wings. (Aska, ‘Mareh 2000}, true 5 Figure 12. Boic | Bold Eagle. Perched Boric | td I eogles show © noticeable which Wiongle fn thoi Docks. Ths s'@ Boxe | eagle becouse of ie bully crown, brown chooks, lock of dork fyestripe, pole brown eye, paler gray care with ome yellowish colo, ond pole gray beck. (alosko, Moren 2000) Figure 13. Bose ld Eagle. Eagle In is rd plumage; age known by reading te post leg ond: ithod been banded in he net jt over two yeors coer Bost eagles hove whitish ‘Crowns and chooks, norrow dork eyesrpes, ‘whitch ayes, yellowish cores, and ollowish Dotcher on the books ike Basic | wages, hey ‘iva hove white eles thot ontrost wh dark Broa, (Virginia, ly 1985) AGING BALD EAGLES 25Figure 14. Basic Bold Eagle. Bosic I eogles in Fight show whitish Belles tht contrast wh dork breasts and smooth raling edges of wings. [Note the whith crown and cheeks, dork eye. step, and yllow'sh beak, Note alse the wile Suing ite’ immature eogles. (Alarko, March 2000) Figue 15, Basic Bold Eagle, Some Bosic copies show noticeably longer rloined je fle secondary oF two on oe {ees obviaus ae the reine joven ‘movies (Alaska, March 2000} NED HARI Figure 16, Bosc I Bold Eagle, Some Batic! ond IVeogles appecr overall dart, wih baky and back int shown) tht show litle or no white This indvival is @ Bosc I coal by he yallow care, which eye, and yellow patches on beak (Woshington, Febrvory 2000, Waa, ABE 26 BIRDING + FEBRUARY 2001$B. Bosic Ml Bold Eogle. Four plomoge flmage ond Figue 19. Bosc IV Bald Eagle. Eages in the 2 con show immoture chor brow spot oe‘There are some white feathers retained on the body, wing coverts, and flight feathers (Figures 17 and 18). Tails are variable at this age; they can be Nike those of younger immatures oF white with narrow dark tips like those in the next plumage, The beak is now yellow, usually with some dark near the tip, Some eagles in this age-class may have a retained juvenile outer primary (P10) on cone oF both wings, but most have new P10 and P3 or P4, as well as new PL Note: It is not always possible to dis- tinguish all Basic Il and Ill Bald Eagles, as advanced Basic Il eagles and retarded Basic II eagles can be intermediate between the descriptions given above for the characters of these ag 0 Some first-plumage adults still show immature characters: narrow dark eye-lines, brown spotting on tal coverts, occasionally a few white spots on the underwing coverts, and dark tips (but not dark outer webs) on the white tail (Figure 20), They 28 Figute 20. jvenle Golden Eagle. All Golden Eogls show dork axillaris or ‘wing pit’ ond white on under ‘wings only onthe Bight feathers. White exonds fo the rides of fl. (Oregon, February 1997), dlifler from Basic Ill Bald Eagles by having completely white necks and by not hav ing extensive white spotting on their bod- ies, wing covers, of flight feathers. I call eagles of this age-class “subadults," but this term is not universally defined and thas been applied to all immatures by some authors and co immatures other than juveniles by others. Raptor-watching can be far more enjoyable when you can go beyond just identifying the species afield. Why not Using the information presented in this article, try to determine the ages of the next immature Bald Eagles you see? I thank Brian Wheeler for ulating conversations on Bald Eagle aging and identification and for his freely shar- ig his knowledge and experience. Ned aris and John Schmitt provided ‘comments on an earlier draft many stim- (Clark, W. S., and B. K, Wheeler, 1987, BIRDING » FEBRUARY 2001 A Field Guide to Hawks (of) North ‘America, Peterson field guide series, no, 35. Houghton Mifflin, Boston stam, C. 1984. Patterns of moult in large birds of prey. 1984. Ann. Zool. Fennici 21:271-276. Gerrard, J. M.,and G. R, Bortoloti. 1988, The Bald Eagle, Haunts and Habits ofa Wilderness Monarch. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington, D.C McCollough, M. A. 1989, Molting sequence and ageing Bald Eagles. Wilson Bull. 101:1-10. A. H, 1941. The significance of fers among the secondary remiges in the Falconiformes. Condor 43:113-115. Southern, WE. 1967. Further com. ments on subadult Bald Eagle Plumages. Jack Pine Warbler 45: 80 Wheeler, B.K., and WS, Clark, 1995 A Photographic Guide to North ‘American Raptors. Academic Press, London. Mill