Bald Eagle:
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Code 4: BAEA Code 6: HALLEU
Description: Large dark brown raptor from the family Accipitridae. Male and female look alike, though female tends to be larger than male. Bill, feet and eye are yellow in color. Juvenile has dark brown plumage, head and tail. At three years of age, juvenile has more white than brown. By 5-7 years of age, head and tail are fully white.
Voice: High-pitched chirp/whistle.
L. 31” - 35” WS. 79” - 81” WT. 10 lb.
Mating & Courtship: By age 4-5, Bald Eagles are mature enough to bear young. One courtship dance happens when the male and female Bald Eagles lock talons in the air and turn in a circle.
Nesting: In late February to early March, Bald Eagles begin constructing a nest. If the pair has nested before, they will come back to the old nest, fixing it up and building onto it. The nest is located in a large tree usually over-looking a body of water and is built by collecting sticks of various sizes and weaving them in and out to make a bowl-like structure. In the Guinness Book of World Records, one eagle nest was recorded as being 10’ wide by 20’ deep.
Young: In late March to early April, the female will lay 2 to 3 white eggs. Both male and female start incubating the eggs after the first one is laid. The eggs will hatch about 40 days later. Both parents are devoted to feeding the young. This they do by catching prey, tearing off small pieces, and placing them into the open mouths of the young.
Feeding: Bald Eagles are opportunistic feeders, fish is a favorite. They also eat small mammals such as rabbits, and birds such as coots. Eagles use their large talons to grab their prey, then use their heavy hooked bill to tear pieces off to eat. Another favorite food of the Bald Eagle is carrion.
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, marshes and ponds. Usually wherever there are suitable trees for nesting and nearby water for fishing.
Range: All of United States and parts of Canada
Migration Habits: Varies depending on where the eagles live. In winter months eagles tend to congregate on open rivers.
Conservation Status & Life Story: The Bald Eagle was first listed as endangered in 1967. In 1972 the Bald Eagles’ recovery began. In 1999, the Interior Department said that the Bald Eagles’ recovery had been a success, but it would be another eight years before the decision would become official.
Interesting Facts:
~Bald Eagles are excellent swimmers.
~Bald Eagles and Ospreys will fight, sometimes quite violently, over fish.
~Bald Eagles are diurnal; meaning they are awake only during the day.
Related Species: Golden Eagle and Osprey.
~ Helpful Angel
