Bald Eagles, birds of prey or raptors, are known for their sharp hooked beaks, keen eye sight, and strong talons (see photo to the right). The word raptor comes from the Latin word "rapture' and means to seize or grasp. Eagles use their talons to grab and hold their prey. The talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the prey while it is held immobile by the front toes.
An Eagle's beak is large and hooked. A bald eagle's beak is a strong weapon that can cut and tear into flesh. The beak is also delicate enough to groom an Eagle mate's feathers or feed food to a newly hatched chick. The feathers of an adult Bald Eagle are brown with a white head and tail. The tail is somewhat long and slightly wedge-shaped. An eagle's beak, feet, and irises are bright yellow.
The Bald Eagle prefers habitats near seacoasts, rivers, large lakes, and other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish. The Bald Eagle's diet varies and depends largely on what food is available. Usually Eagles feed on fish and are found in the Pacific Northwest. Spawning trout and salmon make up most of the Bald Eagles' diet in those areas. Eagles may also rely on carrion (fish and animals that are already dead), especially in winter when it is hard to fish in frozen waters. Eagles sometimes feed on food stolen from campsites and picnics, as well as garbage dumps. Depending on their location, Eagles will also hunt mammals like rabbits, hares, raccoons, muskrats, beavers, sea otters, and baby deer. Sometimes Eagles prey on other birds like ducks, gulls, and geese. Eagles have also been seen preying on reptiles, amphibians and crustaceans (especially crabs).
The Bald Eagle is a powerful flier, and soars using air currents. Eagles can can reach flying speeds of 35–44 miles per hour when gliding and flapping, and about 30 miles per hour while carrying fish. They can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. Adult female Eagles are generally larger than male Eagles. Body length ranges from 28–38 inches. Adult females have a wingspan of up to 88 inches, while adult males may be as small as 66 inches. Adult females weigh approximately 12.8 pounds and males weigh an average of 9 pounds. Generally speaking, the largest Eagles are found in Alaska where they can have a wing span of almost 8 feet.
An Eagle nest is the largest of any bird in North America. Eagle pairs mate for life and repeatedly use the same next over many years adding new material each year. Their nest is built out of branches, usually in large trees near water. Eagles produce between one and three eggs per year and the male and female take turns incubating the eggs. The eggs usually hatch after 35 days and parents stay with the offspring until they are at least four weeks old. A complete nesting cycle takes about 20 weeks.
Information found on this page was collected from the following web pages. Visit the sites to learn more about these wonderful bird birds of prey:
- American Eagle Foundation - a site dedicated to the care and protection of the majestic Bald Eagle, the U.S.A.'s national symbol. Although there are commercial aspects to the site, the Contents link and Eagle Nest Cam link are interesting and informative.
- Cornell All about Birds: Eagle - interesting facts and a link that will let you listen to an eagle.
- National Eagle Center - listen to eagles, watch eagle footage, and learn about eagles at this site which is hosted by an organization out of Wabasha, Minnesota, a favorite wintering area for hundreds of bald eagles.
- The Fall and Rise of the Bald Eagle - an online article about Bald Eagles.
- Enchanted Learning Bald Eagles - includes information and links to handouts/quizzes