While on a vacation in Alaska, a big brown bird got close enough for me to take it's picture. I was so excited to be that close to a bird, but told the Zipline guide I was disappointed it wasn't an Eagle. Oh, but it WAS, she told me! Young Bald Eagles are all brown without a white hood during the first 3-5 years or so when they are learning to fly etc., the brown feathers help camouflage them from predators.