Adult male bird: A "flying fishing machine". Brown above, white underparts. Head white with brown eye stripe. Yellow eyes. Often misidentified as Bald Eagle. Aloft, forms an easy to identify "M" shape.

Adult female bird: Similar to the male, but tail and flight feathers are barred brown. Generally more streaked on the upper breast with the appearance of a necklace.

Breeding adult: No significant change.

Immature bird: Similar to adults but slightly buff color outlining all dark feathers. Barring on tail feathers more exaggerated than adult. Keeps juvenile plumage for about two years but takes five years for complete molt.

Habitat: Lakes, inshore waters, freshwater marshes and salt marshes.

Breeding: In Florida, January-December.