Compared to "Haliaeetus" eagles, the Golden is distinctly longer-tailed and smaller-headed, with broad wings that are more hawk-like and less plank-like in shape and a more solidly golden-brown coloration.
Compared to "Haliaeetus" eagles, the Golden is usually longer-tailed and is distinctly smaller-headed, with broad wings that are more hawk-like and less plank-like in shape. Whereas more "Haliaeetus" eagles are heavily streaked in their juvenile phase, the Golden has a a more solidly golden-brown coloration.