Quck answer
1. Bald eagles are not actually bald, but have white feathers on their head that contrast with their dark body feathers.
2. These birds can live up to 30 years in the wild and mate for life.
3. Bald eagles are powerful hunters and can fly at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.
4. Their nests, called eyries, can be as large as 13 feet deep and 8 feet wide.
5. Bald eagles were once endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, but have made a successful recovery since being protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1978.
6. These birds are a symbol of the United States and appear on the country’s seal and currency.
Wild Animals
A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephaus) is captured in flight in the wilds of Alaska. The average wingspan of a bald eagle is between 5 and 6 feet (1.5 and 1.8 meters). Avalon/Getty Images
When selecting a national bird, the United States chose the bald eagle, which has an unforgettable profile, a steely-eyed gaze, dramatic white and brown coloring, and an awesome wingspan of between 5 and 6 feet (1.5 and 1.8 meters). In 1789, the bald eagle was chosen to represent the fledgling nation. To learn more about this special species, we spoke with Scott Courdin, wildlife curator at the Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball, Jr. Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, who is an expert falconer and manages the center’s menagerie, which includes two bald eagles. Here are seven interesting facts you should know about this magnificent bird:
1. The Turkey Almost Became the U.S. National Bird
Believe it or not, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was a proponent of the turkey as the national bird, calling it more “respectable,” and “withal a true, original native of America.”
Courdin explains that part of Franklin’s issue with the bald eagle was that it is a scavenger, “which they are,” he admits. “Of all the birds of prey, other than vultures, bald eagles are most likely to go to a dead animal on the side of the road where other birds of prey will only eat carrion if they are starving.”
Nevertheless, the bald eagle was chosen as a symbol of strength, courage, and freedom. And despite Franklin’s comments, the bald eagle is indigenous only to North America unlike other eagles.
2. Bald Eagles Mostly Eat Fish
What else do eagles eat? Mostly fish, waterfowl, and other small game like rabbits, squirrels, or rodents. They require a pretty wide hunting territory, about 25 miles (40 kilometers). A 6-pound (2.7 kilogram) eagle (which is about average) can live off two adult rats easily. “That’s a daily feed,” says Courdin. “But most birds don’t eat every day because they will catch something that’s large enough to sustain them for a couple of days. Instead, they might feed off something large and fill their crop, a part of their digestive system where they temporarily store food that can sustain them for two or three days. Sometimes even longer.”
3. Being Bald is Beautiful
The bald eagle isn’t called bald because its scalp looks hairless, but because it’s white. Its name comes from the Middle English word “balde” which means “white.” In fact, bald eagles don’t even develop their striking white head and tail feathers until they are mature, somewhere between 4 and 5 years old.
4. A 6- to 7-Foot Wingspan Is Typical
Female bald eagles are larger than males and can weigh anywhere from 10 to 14 pounds (4.5 to 6.3 kilograms). Her wingspan will be between 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters). The male eagle is smaller, at around 9 to 10 pounds (4 to 4.5 kilograms). His wingspan is about 5.5 to 6 feet (1.6 to 1.8 meters).
5. Eagles are Loyal to Their Mates
Eagles mate for life. If one mate dies, the remaining bird may take a new mate. Mates build nests, or aeries, together, which takes about one to three months.
6. Bald Eagles Lay One Group of Eggs Per Year
Bald eagles only lay one clutch of eggs per year because it takes 10-12 weeks for the eaglets to grow and take their first flight. The incubation period is shared by both parents and lasts for 35 days. However, if the eggs or young are destroyed early in the season, the eagles may lay another clutch to try to reproduce again. This is called a “double clutch” and has helped to increase the bald eagle population.
7. Bald Eagles Build Huge Nests
Bald eagles build large nests, with an average size of 4-5 feet in diameter and 2-4 feet deep. The largest aerie ever recorded was built by a pair of bald eagles in St. Petersburg, Florida, and measured 9 feet wide, 20 feet deep, and weighed 2 tons. The eagles only live in their nests during the mating season, incubation, and when raising their young. They will return to the same nest year after year if possible, but will leave if the tree it’s built in is not strong enough to sustain it.
Bald eagles are unique among raptors in that they tend to never forget anything and can hold grudges. If a mistake is made during training, it can ruin the training or set it back by several months. It took five years to train Freedom, the male bald eagle trained at the Raptor Center.
The bald eagle was removed from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Federal Endangered Species list in 2007 and is no longer on any state endangered species list. However, it is still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Lacey Act. Bald eagles can be found in every state except Hawaii, with Florida and Alaska having the highest populations.
Now That’s Interesting
The bald eagle population was once at risk due to habitat destruction, hunting, and the use of pesticides like DDT. However, conservation efforts have helped to increase their numbers and protect their habitats.
FAQ
1. Are bald eagles actually bald?
No, bald eagles are not actually bald. They have dark brown feathers covering their bodies, with white feathers on their heads and tails. The name “bald” comes from the word “piebald,” which means having patches of white and other colors. So, while they may not be completely covered in feathers, they are not bald.
2. What is the wingspan of a bald eagle?
The wingspan of an adult bald eagle can range from 6 to 7.5 feet (1.8 to 2.3 meters). This allows them to soar through the air with ease and hunt for prey from high altitudes.
3. What do bald eagles eat?
Bald eagles are carnivores and primarily eat fish, but they will also eat small mammals, birds, and carrion. Their diet varies depending on their location and availability of food.
4. How long do bald eagles live?
Bald eagles can live up to 30 years in the wild, but the average lifespan is around 20 years. In captivity, they can live even longer.
5. Where do bald eagles live?
Bald eagles are found throughout North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They prefer to live near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and coasts.
6. What is the mating ritual of bald eagles?
Bald eagles mate for life and perform a spectacular aerial courtship display. They fly high into the sky and lock talons, then free-fall together before separating at the last moment.
7. How many eggs do bald eagles lay?
Bald eagles typically lay 1-3 eggs per breeding season. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
8. How did bald eagles become the national bird of the United States?
The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird of the United States in 1782 because of its strength, majestic appearance, and association with freedom. It is also found only in North America.
9. Are bald eagles endangered?
While bald eagles were once endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and use of pesticides, their populations have rebounded since the 1970s. They are currently listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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