Image by EaglesExplored.com (Third Year Eagle Image by Robin Gwen Agarwal CC BY NC 2.0)
Bald Eagle Plumage and Aging Galleries
Not Just Images – Insight
Welcome! 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, “Molt 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.
Our galleries are constructed as tools of approximation for education, field identification and image analysis. Each gallery is thoughtfully curated to showcase a particular plumage class (age), anatomical feature, behavior, or other defining trait. We’ve combed through more than 100,000 eagle photographs, enhancing many using cutting-edge image refinement. See, learn and share. The majority of our images have open-source licensing, so we want you to share these images in line with their indicated licenses. Please consult our Use of Media page and authoritative sources for sharing details. Explore the galleries and visit often. We’re constantly expanding our collection.
Eagles Explored offers an extensive archive of Bald Eagle imagery curated for clarity, wonder, and learning. Our galleries showcase molt sequence, anatomical details and behavioral traits across life stages. A hallmark of these archives is the incorporation of open-use licensing which means that many images on the site can be used and shared by you. From first-time eagle watchers to career biologists, the collection invites all to explore freely and share responsibly. (Image Credit Mathias Appel/ Flickr/ Public Domain. Edited by Eagles Explored)