Bald Eagle vs Bearded Vulture
Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Gypaetus barbatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bald Eagle | Bearded Vulture |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Gypaetus barbatus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) | 152.1 cm (59.9 in) |
| Weight | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) | 5800.0 g (204.59 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Bald Eagle
Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Bald Eagle
High-pitched, chattering whistle: a rapid 'kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik'. Surprisingly weak and thin for such a large raptor. Also gives a lower 'kwit-kwit' call near the nest.
Bearded Vulture
Geographic Range & Migration
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Bearded Vulture
Conservation Status
Bald Eagle
Bearded Vulture
How to Tell Them Apart
Bald Eagle
Adults have a dark brown body with a striking white head and tail. Juveniles are mottled brown and white, reaching full adult plumage at age five.
Large, hooked, bright yellow bill
Bearded Vulture
About These Birds
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States. Once endangered due to DDT pesticide use, it made a remarkable recovery and was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. These powerful raptors build the largest tree nests of any bird, some weighing over two tons.
Bearded Vulture
The Bearded Vulture, or Lammergeier, is a spectacular high-mountain raptor found from the Pyrenees and Africa to Central and South Asia. Adults are orange-buff below, dark above, with a long diamond-shaped tail and striking beard of dark bristles below the bill. Uniquely, it feeds almost exclusively on bones, dropping them from height onto rocks to access the nutritious marrow.