Types of Bald Eagle in Alabama

The Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle are the two species found in Alabama. Bald Eagles are common year-round near large bodies of water like Guntersville Lake where they nest and hunt for fish. Golden Eagles are much rarer and are mostly seen in the winter in the more rugged and wooded parts of the state. I remember a birding trip in 2022 where we were lucky enough to see both types on the same day near the Tennessee River. For more on these birds, visit ourbald eagle page.

Young Bald Eagles do not have the white head and tail of the adults, which can make them look like Golden Eagles at a distance. You can tell them apart by looking at their legs; Golden Eagles have feathers all the way down to their toes, while Bald Eagles have bare yellow legs. This leg feathering is a key adaptation for the Golden Eagle's more upland hunting style. If you enjoy the powerful look of these birds, you might like someeagle giftsthat show their impressive shapes and details.

Bald Eagles are much more common and are successfully nesting in many parts of the state today, from the Gulf Coast to the northern mountains. Golden Eagles are strictly winter visitors and do not nest in Alabama, making a sighting of one a rare event. They are a key part of thewildlife in Alabamaand their recovery over the last few decades is a great success story for state conservation efforts. You can often see Bald Eagles year round if you know which large lakes they prefer for nesting.

Yes, the Bald Eagles in Alabama are generally the Southern Bald Eagle subspecies, which is slightly smaller than the birds found in Alaska or Canada. However, during the winter, larger Northern Bald Eagles often migrate into the state, so you might see a mix of sizes. The southern birds tend to nest earlier in the year, sometimes as early as December, to avoid the peak heat of the Alabama summer. This timing is a unique part of their life cycle in the Deep South.

Ospreys and Turkey Vultures are often mistaken for eagles, especially when they are soaring high in the sky. Ospreys have a white underside and are often found near the same fish rich waters as Bald Eagles. Turkey Vultures have a distinct V-shape to their wings when they soar, while eagles keep their wings almost perfectly flat. I have seen many people get excited about a vulture only to realize it was not the eagle they were looking for. Knowing these differences helps you identify the realwildlife in Alabamamore accurately.

Bald Eagles are almost always found near water, including rivers, lakes, and the coastal marshes, where they can easily find fish. Golden Eagles prefer more open country and wooded mountains where they hunt for rabbits, squirrels, and even small deer. In Alabama, this means you are more likely to find a Golden Eagle in the Appalachian foothills than on the coast. Their different hunting styles and prey preferences keep them from competing too much even when they are in the same region during the winter.

Visiting state parks like Lake Guntersville or Joe Wheeler during the winter months is the best way to see both species. The state often hosts Eagle Awareness weekends where experts help you find and identify the birds. I recall a trip in early 2023 where the park rangers pointed out several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles and a single Golden Eagle soaring over the ridge. These events are great for anyone wanting to see the diversity ofeagle merchandiseand live birds in one place.