Bald Eagle vs Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Spilornis klossi

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Bald Eagle Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle
Scientific Name Haliaeetus leucocephalus Spilornis klossi
Order Accipitriformes Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae Accipitridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length 79.0 cm (31.1 in)
Wingspan 203.0 cm (79.9 in) 59.4 cm (23.4 in)
Weight 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) 450.0 g (15.87 oz)
Diet Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … --
Clutch Size 1-4 --
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Bald Eagle 79.0 cm
Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle
Wingspan
Bald Eagle 203.0 cm
Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle 59.4 cm
Weight
Bald Eagle 4300.0 g
Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle 450.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Bald Eagle only

Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle only

None

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

Song

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.

Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle

Geographic Range & Migration

Bald Eagle

North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.

Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Bald Eagle

Endangered

Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle

How to Tell Them Apart

Bald Eagle

Plumage

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.

Bill

Large, hooked, bright yellow bill

Great Nicobar Serpent-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.

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