The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, joins the golden eagle as the only two eagle species native to North America. The national symbol of the United States, the bald eagle is among our largest predatory birds, with wingspans up to 7 feet and adult weights of 8 to 14 pounds. The adult bald eagle is among the most easily recognizable birds in the world, given its size, distinctive white head and dramatic dark body. Bald eagles are sometimes confused with ospreys, which have similar wingspans and markings, but bald eagles are considerably larger. Adult ospreys typically weigh only 4 to 4.5 pounds, and have a dark "mask" around the eyes that makes them easily discernible from the bald eagle. To learn more about the characteristics of the bald eagle, click on any of the photos or links below. Gender differences || Eyesight || Wings, flight & migration Life stages || Why "bald" eagles? || Nesting & breeding Habitat & Threats || Predators & Predation Terms of Use - Copyright 2009 Central Vermont Public Service Copyright photos CVPS, Floyd Scholz U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Web related issues