Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 28–37.8 in
71–96 cm - Wingspan
- 80.3 in
204 cm - Weight
- 105.8–222.2 oz
3000–6300 g
Other Names
- Pygargue à tête blanche (French)
- Águila cabeza blanca (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- Humans are the most important source of mortality for this threatened species.
- Bald Eagles occasionally hunt cooperatively, with one individual flushing prey towards another.
- The immature Bald Eagle has a prolonged period of exploration lasting for four years. Some young from Florida have wandered north to Michigan, and birds from California have reached Alaska.
Habitat
Lake/Pond
- Breeds in forested areas near large bodies of water.
- Winters in coastal areas, along large rivers, and large unfrozen lakes.
Food
Fish
Opportunistic feeder, but prefers fish. Eats large birds, mammals, and carrion.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 1–3 eggs
- Egg Description
- Dull white, usually without markings.
- Condition at Hatching
- Capable of limited motion. Covered with light gray down and with eyes open.
Nest Description
Large nest of sticks. Lined with finer woody materials. Reused over many years. Placed in large tree, often the largest in the area. Rarely nests on ground or cliff.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Soaring
Engages in spectacular flight displays. In the Cartwheel Display, a courting pair flies to high altitude, locks feet together, and then tumbles and cartwheels toward the ground, breaking off at the last moment.Gets food by direct capture, scavenging, and stealing prey from other eagles or other birds and mammals. Will wade in water to catch fish.
Conservation
Least Concern
Preservation efforts brought populations in the lower 48 states back from near exinction in the mid-20th century. Although the Bald Eagle was proposed for removal from the Endangered species List in 1999, populations in the lower 48 states remain relatively low. Humans are the most important source of mortality.
Credits
- Buehler, D. A. 2000. Bald Eagle (Halieaeetus leucocephalus). In The Birds of North America, No. 564 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.