Have you ever wondered if bald eagles are actually bald? No, bald eagles are not bald. Their heads are covered with beautiful white feathers. The word “bald” originally meant “white-headed,” which is why these majestic birds are called bald eagles. Their scientific name even means “sea eagle with a white head.”

Eagle Coloring Sheet

---

---

Why Are They Called Bald?

When most people hear the word “bald,” they think of someone without hair. But that is not what it means when referring to the eagle!

Historically, the word “bald” meant “white-headed.” A bald eagle’s bright white head is one of its most recognizable features. Its scientific name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, means “sea eagle with a white head.”

Although often found near oceans, bald eagles also live near rivers and lakes throughout North America. They are the only eagle species unique to North America, living from northern Mexico through the United States and into Canada.

Are Baby Bald Eagles Born With White Heads?

One of the biggest surprises about bald eagles is that they do not hatch with white heads.

Baby bald eagles, called eaglets, hatch covered in soft gray feathers. They look nothing like an adult. At hatching, they weigh only about three ounces and are roughly the length of a stick of butter.

During their first few weeks, eaglets grow incredibly quickly. In just one week, they increase from about three ounces to nearly one pound. As they continue growing, both parents work together to care for them by bringing food and protecting them in the nest.

When Do Bald Eagles Get Their White Heads?

Young bald eagles spend several years changing as they mature.

For the first few years of life, juvenile eagles have mostly brown feathers with patches of white mottling. Their beaks are brown rather than the bright yellow seen in adults. Each year they molt, shedding old feathers and growing new ones.

Around four years of age, lighter feathers begin replacing the dark feathers on their heads. By the time they are five to six years old, their heads have become almost completely white. Their white head signals to other eagles that they have reached maturity.

Because of these changes, many people do not realize they are looking at a young bald eagle when they see one.

A Beautiful Design From God

The bald eagle’s famous white head is only one part of God’s remarkable design.

God created these birds to grow and mature over time. From tiny gray eaglets to majestic adults with brilliant white heads, every stage of their life displays His careful design.

The next time you see a bald eagle soaring overhead, remember that it is not bald at all. Its beautiful white feathers remind us of the meaning behind its name and point us to the Creator who designed every detail of this incredible bird. And if you spot a large brown eagle without a white head, take a closer look. You just might be watching a young bald eagle!

---

Learning about eagles is made possible by: Grab your copy of Wonders of Creation and see all of Master Books‘ amazing nature and science books for kids, including books about dinosaurs and the Genesis flood! 

---

Learn more about eagles on our nature podcast for kids and families: