• The Upper Delaware's mild rapids and quiet pools are ideal for canoeing, kayaking, or rafting.

    Upper Delaware

    Scenic & Recreational River NY,PA

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Characteristics of Bald Eagles

The bald eagle is one of the largest birds in the Northeast. In profile, as it flies toward you, its wings are held straight out; the more common turkey vulture soars with its wings held in a V-shape. As the eagle passes overhead, the feathers at the tips of its wings are widely separated, and its relatively short tail is usually fanned open.

Height: 30 inches

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Wing Span: 6-7 feet

Adult Color: (by about 5 years)

  • white head and tail
  • dark brown body and wings
  • bright orange-yellow beak and feet
  • lemon yellow iris

Immature Color:

  • chocolate brown mottled with white
  • black beak gradually lightens to a spotty horn color
  • dark brown iris gradually lightens to pale yellow

Male and female eagles look identical, although females are usually the larger of the two.

Females weigh 10 - 14 pounds, while males generally weigh 8 - 10 pounds. Females have a longer beak and longer back toe.

Although not common (only 1 or 2 along the Upper Delaware annually) the golden eagle is frequently mistaken for an immature bald eagle.

Did You Know?

American Eel

Spawned in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, the American Eel migrates as a juvenile to fresh water where they grow into adults. As a traditional food source for Native Americans, smoked eels are still a local delicacy.