How to Identify Eagle in Washington

Bald Eagles are large raptors, roughly 28 to 40 inches long with wingspans of 6.5 to 7.5 feet, making them among the largest birds in North America. Golden Eagles are slightly smaller in length but similar in wingspan, usually 26 to 40 inches long with 6 to 7.5 foot wingspans. Both species are much larger than Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper's Hawks, which are common in Washington but noticeably smaller and slighter in build. When scanning the sky or perched trees, size is the first clue: a very large, heavy-bodied raptor is almost certainly an eagle.

Adult Bald Eagles have a distinctive white head, neck, and tail, with a dark brown to blackish body and wings. The sharp yellow hooked beak and yellow feet are also diagnostic. Young Bald Eagles are entirely dark brown or blackish for the first 4 to 5 years, with no white plumage; they can be confused with Golden Eagles, but young Bald Eagles have smaller heads and less robust builds. Bald Eagles in all ages have a heavier, more massive appearance than Golden Eagles, with broader wings held nearly flat in flight.

Golden Eagles have evenly dark brown plumage with subtle golden or rusty highlights on the crown and upper back, visible mainly in bright sunlight. Adult Bald Eagles have the white head and tail that Golden Eagles never show. Golden Eagles are found in open habitats like mountains, grasslands, and sagebrush; Bald Eagles prefer waterside trees, cliffs, and large conifers. Golden Eagles have a more athletic, slimmer silhouette and often soar with a slight upward tilt to the wings, while Bald Eagles hold wings flatter. In Washington, Golden Eagles are far less common, with 345 iNaturalist observations compared to 14,794 Bald Eagles; if you see an eagle near water in Washington, it is almost certainly a Bald Eagle.

Bald Eagles soar on thermal updrafts and ride wind currents high into the sky, holding their broad wings nearly flat in a plank-like posture. They also hunt from perches and dive steeply to snatch fish or waterfowl, producing a direct, powerful flight during strikes. Golden Eagles soar with wings raised in a slight V, or dihedral, and are more acrobatic in pursuit of prey. Both species have slow, heavy wingbeats compared to smaller hawks, with a deliberate rhythm. Watch for the slow, majestic wingbeat and the eagle's ability to glide for long distances without flapping.

Adult Bald Eagles produce a high-pitched chirp or whistled klee-klee-klee call, surprisingly quiet and thin for such a large bird, often heard during territorial disputes or in nesting colonies. Young Bald Eagles are silent. Golden Eagles are also quiet, giving a few low-pitched calls only during breeding season. Many people expect an eagle to produce the iconic screech associated with eagles in film; that sound is actually a Red-tailed Hawk call. If you hear a loud, raspy scream from a raptor in Washington, it is almost certainly a Red-tailed Hawk, not an eagle. Silent observation is the most reliable method for spotting eagles.

Eagle feathers are very large, with the longest flight feathers (primaries) reaching 8 to 12 inches in length. The feathers are dark brown or black in Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles, with Bald Eagle feathers having a distinctive white color on the head and tail feathers. Bald Eagle pellets (regurgitated bone and fur) are large and loose, 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Tracks are rarely found away from nest sites or feeding areas, but eagle footprints are massive: up to 4 inches across, with four toes arranged around a central pad, and claw marks 0.5 to 1 inch long. Collecting eagle feathers found naturally is legal in Washington, but federal law prohibits removing active eagle nests or disturbing nesting pairs.

Bald Eagles are resident year-round in Washington, with highest populations in winter and spring when northern birds migrate south to open water. January, March, and April show the highest observation counts on iNaturalist. The San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Skagit Valley, and Olympic Peninsula all support strong Bald Eagle populations. Golden Eagles are much rarer in Washington, with only 345 records compared to Bald Eagles; they are generally found in eastern Washington mountains and grasslands, particularly in spring and fall. If you are planning a specific eagle-watching trip, plan for April or January for the best odds of seeing Bald Eagles.

Yes, Bald Eagles are increasingly common near suburban areas in Washington, particularly where large trees overlook rivers, lakes, or Puget Sound. Many backyard sightings occur during winter when northern eagles move south. Bald Eagles hunt fish from lakes and rivers, so any large body of water with deep forest nearby is a potential eagle location. Golden Eagles are almost never seen in populated areas; they remain in remote mountains and grasslands. For reliable eagle viewing, visit the established routes and refuges listed on the Washington eagle trunk page, such as the Skagit Valley in winter or the San Juan Islands year-round.