Bald Eagle vs Black Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Ictinaetus malaiensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bald Eagle | Black Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Ictinaetus malaiensis |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) | 110.6 cm (43.5 in) |
| Weight | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) | 1265.0 g (44.62 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.
Black Eagle
Geographic Range & Migration
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Black Eagle
Conservation Status
Bald Eagle
Black Eagle
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
Black Eagle
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.
Black Eagle
The Black Eagle is a large, all-black raptor with broad wings, a long tail, and distinctive yellow cere and feet, giving it an imposing silhouette in flight. It inhabits forested hills and mountains from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to Indonesia. It specializes in raiding the nests of other birds and squirrels, gliding slowly over the forest canopy to locate prey.