Golden Eagles are rare in the valley bottoms, but one or two turn up almost every winter. Juvenile Bald Eagles, however, are similar and are often mistaken for Golden Eagles. The photos below show both species.
Field marks
Juvenile Golden Eagles usually have well-defined white patches on their carpal joints (at the base of the primary feathers on their wings) which is most visible from below. They are always white on the upper half of the tail. This white contrasts abruptly with the brown bottom half of the tail. Golden Eagles are otherwise dark brown with a golden wash on the nape of their neck. Adults lack the white found in juveniles. In flight, wing shape can also provide a clue. Golden Eagle’s wings can appear broader at the tips and bulge along the secondaries more than the more slender Bald Eagle wings. This is not always evident. Soars with wings in slight ‘v’ similar to but less than seen in soaring Turkey Vultures. Bald Eagles soar with flat wings.
Side by side
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Note the mottled white on the underwings, tail and breast.
Juvenile Golden Eagle
Note the clean white wing patches and the sharp line between the white base and brown tip of the tail.
See also: Golden Eagle · The Bald Eagle