What plumage difference separates the Sea Eagle from the Bald Eagle (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*)?
Answer
Sea Eagle retains dark heads into adulthood
A key visual distinction highlighted between the White-Tailed Eagle and its close relative, the Bald Eagle, lies in the color of their heads as adults. The Bald Eagle is famous for developing a stark white head upon reaching maturity, which is why it earned its common name. In contrast, the White-Tailed Eagle, often called the Sea Eagle, maintains dark heads throughout its adult life. These plumage differences are the result of evolutionary divergence over time, reflecting adaptations to their respective regional environments and specialized food webs where each species developed unique survival strategies following their separation within the shared *Haliaeetus* genus.
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