eagle head strip 01 lowres01

Image by EaglesExplored.com (Third Year Eagle Image by Robin Gwen Agarwal CC BY NC 2.0)

3 ½ Years – Basic III Plumage gallery

Not Just Images – Insight

the bald eagle Plumage and aging gUIDE
1/2 YEAR juvenal PLUMAGE
1-1/2 YEARS BASIC I PLUMAGE
2-1/2 YEARS BASIC II pLUMAGE
3-1/2 YEARS bASIC III PLUMAGE
4-1/2 YEARS BASIC IV PLUMAGE
5-1/2 YEARS DEFINITIVE PLUMAGE

Welcome! See – Learn – Share. Our galleries document the variation of bald eagle plumage across the pre-definitive molt sequence (age), individuals, regions and seasons. In most cases, these variables aren’t known, so plumage and age classifications are approximate, based on plumage presentation and coloring of the beak, cere and iris.  Sorting of the images is also approximate based upon Mark A. McCollough’s seminal 1989 paper, “Molting Sequence and Aging of Bald Eagles” which includes his descriptions and iconic sketches of known-age individuals. The variation in plumage tells a story of molt sequence over time. This page is dedicated to the Basic III plumage class which begins at about 3½ years of age, marking the completion of the Prebasic III molt. Please refer to the table below the gallery for key classification tips. A full plumage description is available in McCollough’s cited paper. Some individuals shown in this gallery may exhibit active molt. They are placed in the gallery that best matches their overall presentation based on McCollough’s 1989 plumage descriptions. Viewer input is welcome.

Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00027
Eagles Explored Bald Eagle head diagram
Eagles Explored Bald Eagle head diagram
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(frank cone / pexels / pexels license)
EaglesExplored_00131 (Perhaps Prebasic III Molt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00055
Mating Bald Eagles about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage and about 4-1/2 years old in Basic IV plumage, also known as subadult or pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(michael levine clark / flickr / cc by nc nd 20)
EaglesExplored_00211
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00050 (Perhaps Prebasic IV Molt)
Bald Eagle about 2 1/2- 3 ½ years old in Basic II or III plumage (perhaps Prebasic III molt), also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(steve smith / unsplash / unsplash license)
EaglesExplored_00252 (Perhaps Prebasic III Molt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(pete nuij / unsplash / unsplash license)
EaglesExplored_00223
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(forest service alaska region / flickr / public domain)
EaglesExplored_00125
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(earl bye / flickr / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00115
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(holgersfotografie / pixabay / pixabay license)
EaglesExplored_00144
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(malibuskiboats / flickr / public domain)
EaglesExplored_00180
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00031
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00056
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(hunter masters / unsplash / unsplash license)
EaglesExplored_00149
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00081
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(jerry mcfarland / flickr / cc by nc 20)
EaglesExplored_00165
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(hansaldenhoven / pixabay / pixabay license)
EaglesExplored_00143
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00049 (Perhaps Prebasic IV Molt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00076 (Perhaps Prebasic IV Molt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(frank cone / pexels / pexels license)
EaglesExplored_00129
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(a different perspective / pixabay / pixabay license)
EaglesExplored_00010
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00060 (Perhaps Prebasic IV Molt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(jerry mcfarland / flickr / cc by nc 20)
EaglesExplored_00158 (Perhaps Prebasic IV Molt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(becky matsubara / flickr / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00096 (Perhaps Prebasic IVMolt)
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(eric stevens / unsplash / unsplash license)
EaglesExplored_00121
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(andy morffew / andymorffew com / cc by 20)
EaglesExplored_00077
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(theotherkev / pixabay / pixabay license)
EaglesExplored_00257
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(jerry mcfarland / flickr / cc by nc 20)
EaglesExplored_00166
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(usfws alaska region / flickr / public domain)
EaglesExplored_00271
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(usfws alaska region / flickr / public domain)
EaglesExplored_00276
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(usfws alaska region / flickr / public domain)
EaglesExplored_00277
Bald Eagle about 3 ½ years old in Basic III plumage, also known as pre-definitive, immature, or subadult.
(ganajp / pexels / pexels license)
EaglesExplored_00137
Fourth year subadult Bald Eagle tail feathers USFWS Feather Atlas
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Fourth year subadult Bald Eagle tail feathers USFWS Feather Atlas
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Bald Eagle Subadult III axillary feathers
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Bald Eagle Subadult III covert feathers
(usfws forensic lab / female tpz / usfws)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / Female-tpz / USFWS)
Subadult Bald Eagle tail feathers
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Subadult Bald Eagle secondary wing feathers
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Subadult Bald Eagle secondary wing feathers
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Subadult Bald Eagle primary wing feathers
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Subadult Bald Eagle primary wing feathers
(usfws forensic lab / usfws / public domain)
(USFWS-Forensic-Laboratory / USFWS / Public-Domain)
Eagles Explored Bald Eagle head diagram
This anatomical diagram of the Bald Eagle’s head highlights key feather regions and structural features referenced in McCollough’s 1989 plumage study. While McCollough sometimes used accessible terms like “cheek,” “forehead,” and “eye stripe” to describe variation across plumage stages, this illustration offers a more detailed map of the underlying anatomy—including the auriculars, malars, crown, and throat. By visualizing these regions, viewers can better understand how flecking, shading, and molt-phase traits appear in different plumage classes. The diagram serves as both a reference and an invitation: to look closer, ask questions, and engage with the archive as a living resource. (Illustration Credit: EaglesExplored.com CC-BY-NC 2.0)
🦅 Basic III Plumage Identification Summary (3½ year) per Mark A. McCollough (1989). The following descriptions are based on McCollough’s observations of 135 Bald Eagles of known age. The observations were made in Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Plumage variation from these descriptions is possible, and rather likely based on factors such as season, region, molt status, diet, and more. This is a tool for approximation, not for confirmation. Some birds are undoubtedly in molt phase. An attempt has been made to place them in the gallery of the closest plumage classification. Please see note below gallery.
FeatureDescription (per McCollough 1989)
CrownWhite with distinct brown flecking; 15 birds had flecking extending behind eye and around eye
NapeWhite feathers extending only partially down neck
AuricularsVariable; 3 birds had faint gray flecking through cheek without eye stripe; 1 bird had pure white head with faint gray flecking around eye
Chin/ThroatNot explicitly described; likely white or lightly flecked
BellyGenerally dark brown with buffy margins; 5 birds had slight white flecking on belly and chest
TailMostly white rectrices; brown flecking proximally and heavy brown mottling on distal margins.
BeakPredominantly yellow; 17 birds showed brown-black line from nares along crest; 1 bird pure yellow; 1 retained Basic II coloration
CereMostly yellow with blackish-gray mottling dorsally (15 birds); pure yellow in 3 birds; yellow only at nares in 1 bird
IrisPale yellow

Plumage Classification Notes: Bald Eagle images in this archive have been sorted according to plumage stages described by McCollough (1989). With over 300 images and countless individual variations, some classifications may be imperfect or open to interpretation, especially in cases of transitional molt or atypical feathering. Molt-phase birds are placed in galleries that best reflect their overall appearance, though some may straddle two plumage stages both before and after the molt. This project is a work in progress, and constructive input is always welcome. If you believe an image might better reflect a different plumage stage—or if you notice traits that suggest molt phase rather than a clean classification, then please let us know. We’ll do our best to annotate transitional birds in their captions and move them to better-fitting galleries when appropriate. To share your thoughts, just refer to the image ID (e.g., EaglesExplored_00017) and reach out through the contact link. Your insights help us refine the archive and deepen the conversation.