Our Privacy/Cookie Policy contains detailed information about the types of cookies & related technology on our site, and some ways to opt out. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use.

Close

Difference Between Male & Female Bald Eagles

| Updated November 01, 2017

Bald eagles are a majestic and beautiful species of bird, but not many people know much about them other than being a symbol of national pride. Bald eagles have many different unique adaptations to survive and interesting physical characteristics, but do you know how to tell male and female eagles apart? Differentiating between male and female bald eagles can be a difficult undertaking because neither has any immediately obvious telltale gender markings. There are, however, multiple telling, albeit subtle, differences.

Size

Bald Eagle Profile
i Peter Finnie/iStock/Getty Images

According to the University of Saskatchewan, female bald eagles are larger than their male counterparts by roughly a third in size. Females tend to have a body length of 35 to 37 inches, while males tend to be 30 to 34 inches long.

Talon Length

American Bald Eagle
i Michael Roberts/iStock/Getty Images

Another method recommended by Journey North, a bald eagle education initiative, is to look at the length of the talons, or toe claws. Both male and female eagles have four talons–three in front and one in back. The back-facing talon or hallux tends to be longer on female bald eagles.

Beak Depth

Adult Bald Eagle close up
i Lynn_Bystrom/iStock/Getty Images

The width from the top of the beak to the eagle's chin is the depth of the beak. Female bald eagles generally have deeper beaks than male eagles, according to Journey North.

Voice

Bald eagle in nest with 2 eaglets
i Walter Spina/iStock/Getty Images

Gender may be determined by comparing the pitch of two eagles, Bald Eagle Info explains. Females tend to have a lower pitch than males and can be identified this way.

Gender Identification in Young Eagles

Young Eagle Chick in Nest
i predrag1/iStock/Getty Images

Dr. Gary Bortolotti, in his research with the University of Saskatchewan, determined that the difference between male and female bald eagle nestlings wasn't readily apparent until around 20 days of age. He found that the most accurate way to differentiate between genders was to measure the length of the eagles' foot pads and the depths of their beaks.