Morphometric, karyotypic, and laparoscopic techniques for determining sex in bald eagles

Accurate sex identification is an important factor in managing and studying both wild and captive animals. Increasing use of captive breeding programs in endangered species management requires an accurate yet safe and convenient way to determine sex in monomorphic species such as the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Brown and Amadon 1968). The goals of this study were to: (1) determine an accurate, non-invasive technique of sexing fully grown bald eagles; (2) test the efficiency and practicality of karyotyping as a sexing tool; and (3) refine and evaluate surgical sexing procedures.