It takes a bald eagle 5 years to obtain its adult plumage (white head and tail, brown body).

Juvenile bald eagles have brown bodies and dark bills.

Juvenile bald eagle in nest

Photo by:  KDFWR

In the first five years of life, the immature bald eagle will go through a series of brown and white mottled plumages.

Immature bald eagle

Photo by:  David Roemer

Immature bald eagle

Photo by:  David Roemer

Adult bald eagles exhibit the distinctive white head and tail and dark brown body.  They have a yellow bill and yellow legs.

Adult bald eagle

Photo by:  Tom Fusco 

Several other species of birds can be mistaken for bald eagles.  Some of the more commonly confused species are osprey, turkey vultures, black vultures and red-tailed hawks.  See below for pictures of these species.

Osprey.  Since osprey also eat fish, they are often mistaken for young bald eagles. 
However, they can be distinguished by their brown tails, white bodies and dark eyeline.

Photo by:  David Roemer
 

 
Immature red-tailed hawk. Red-tailed hawks are common throughout Kentucky. 
Immature red-tailed hawks are sometimes confused with young bald eagles because their tail is brown.   

Photo by:  Rachel Jenkins

 More information on bald eagle identification can be found at the following links:

 The United States Geological Survey bald eagle website: