Having survived its first winter of life, this second-year (Basic I) Bald Eagle nears its first birthday beginning the long process of molt that could culminate in it attaining definitive adult plumage in about four years. Soon, the area of the belly will become bright white and will remain that way for almost two full years. Though showing signs of wear, the flight feathers in the wings and tail have yet to be replaced, but by the time autumn arrives, the mix of new and slightly longer juvenile feathers will give the wings a conspicuously messy appearance.In March, a third-year (Basic II) Bald Eagle with a mix of new and retained juvenile wing feathers has a noticeably sloppy appearance. By fall, nearly all of the juvenile feathers will be replaced and the bird will look much more presentable. The head will show a conspicuous two-toned “osprey-face”.Even a fleeting glimpse in poor light reveals the white belly and jagged trailing edges of the wings on this third-year Bald Eagle as it nears its second birthday.Almost an adult, a Bald Eagle in the early months of its fifth and sometimes its sixth year still has dark-edged tail feathers and a thin dark line through the eye. Many birds at this age are sexually mature.An Bald Eagle set for life in adult definitive plumage.
