Closeup of a bald eagle. Photo by BirdImages / iStock.com.
Clearly recognized by its white head, brown body, and hooked yellow beak, the bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States of America since 1782.
But did you know the bald eagle is one of the largest raptors in the world? A raptor, or bird of prey, is a bird that hunts small animals.
The bald eagle has a 2 m (7 ft.) wing span and an overall size of 71-96 cm (28-38 in.). It weighs 3-7 kg (7-15 lb.).
Soaring and Diving
Bald eagles can reach great heights when flying. Using thermal convention currents, bald eagles can climb to up to 3000 m (10,000 ft.) in the air.
Bald eagles can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph) when diving. Photo by scottdart / iStock.com.
They can soar for hours using these currents. When cruising, they can fly about 65 km/hr (40 mph).
In addition, if their water source freezes, bald eagles may use thermal convention currents to migrate in the winter.
When diving, bald eagles can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph)! Once they capture their prey, they use their hooked beak to pull flesh out before eating it.
Bald eagles capture fish with their talons. Photo by Wirestock / iStock.com.
What Bald Eagles Eat
Living near a constant source of water, bald eagles feast on fish, ducks, snakes and turtles. They will also eat rabbits, muskrats, and dead animals.
Utilizing their acute sense of sight and powerful talons, bald eagles attack their prey by swooping down on them at an angle.
Family Life
At around four to five years old, bald eagles will choose a mating partner through a courtship procedure. The courtship includes numerous calls and aerial displays.
Once coupled, the two birds will mate for life. Only in the case where one eagle dies or disappears will the other one find a new mate.
Preferring to make their homes in large trees near bodies of water (both fresh and salt), bald eagles build enormous nests, called eyries, out of sticks.
Bald eagle arriving at nest with two eaglets. Photo by WalterSpina / iStock.com.
Generally, their eyries are at least half a meter (2 ft.) deep and 1.5 m (5 ft.) across but can be bigger. These substantial nests have been known to weigh up to 900 kg (1 ton).
A mating pair produces up to three eggs a year, though it is not likely that all three will survive.
Both parents take turns incubating the eggs. While one is incubating, the other searches for food or more nesting materials.
After a little over a month of incubation, the babies, called eaglets, hatch. The eaglets’ entire bodies are covered with light gray feathers.
When eaglets are first born, they have downy gray feathers. Photo by David Menke / U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Around three weeks, their plumage takes on a brown coloration. Finally, at four to five years old, they acquire the distinctive brown and white color pattern.
Effects of DDT
Starting in the 1950s, bald eagle populations began to dramatically decline in numbers due to the use of the chemical DDT.
After rigorous conservation efforts by the United States government, the bald eagle successfully rejuvenated its population.
A bald eagle soars over Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo by Gary Rothstein / NASA.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List currently considers the bald eagle as a species of least concern.
Their successful recovery is due to years of concerted conservation efforts along with the ban on the pesticide DDT in 1972.
While bald eagles have few natural enemies and are no longer considered endangered, threats still exist to the bald eagle, including habitat loss. As people move to the shores, they are cutting down trees and forcing eagles to make their homes elsewhere.
Illegal hunting is another threat.
What You Can Do to Help
A good way to help bald eagles is to educate the public about the birds’ habitat requirements. Encourage shore property owners to limit the clearing of trees near the water, and advocate for less development in eagle habitat.
You can also donate to the American Eagle Foundation.
Bald Eagle Range
Bald eagles are found throughout most of North America, preferring to make their homes in large trees near bodies of water.
Bald Eagle Resources
- USFlag.org’s Bald Eagle Page
- American Eagle Foundation
- Washington NatureMapping Program’s Bald Eagle Page
- American Bald Eagle Information
- US Fish and Wildlife Services – Bald Eagle
- “Bald eagle soaring ‘success,’ but at what cost?” CNN.com, June 7, 2007
Quick Fact Sheet
Common Name(s): Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Animal Type: bird
Size: 71-96 cm (28-38 in.) long; Wingspan: 2 m (7 ft.)
Weight: 3-7 kg (7-15 lb.)
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Conservation Status: Least Concern
