Bald Eagle

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a majestic bird of prey indigenous to North America, is not actually bald. Its name derives from an older meaning of "white headed," referencing the striking contrast between its chocolate-brown body and its snow-white head and tail. The adult bald eagle is unmistakable within its range, with a robust build, a heavy head, and a powerful beak. The plumage of immature eagles is a mottled brown, with the distinctive white head and tail feathers not appearing until four to five years of age.

Identification Tips

Adult bald eagles are primarily brown with a white head and tail, and their eyes, beak, and talons are bright yellow. Females are about 25 percent larger than males. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being larger, averaging up to 5.6 kg (12 lb), compared to the males' average of 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). The beak is large, hooked, and yellow. Juveniles lack the white head and tail, featuring a brown plumage overlaid with white until they reach maturity.

Habitat

Bald eagles favor habitats near large bodies of open water with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting. They are found in environments ranging from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and the deciduous forests of Quebec and New England.

Distribution

The bald eagle's range spans most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. They are migratory in the northern parts of their range and resident in the southern parts.

Behaviour

Bald eagles are powerful fliers that soar on thermal convection currents. They are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming fish, which they snatch from the water with their talons. They are known for their elaborate courtship displays, including cartwheels in the sky.

Song & Calls

The bald eagle's vocalizations consist of weak chirping whistles, kleek kik ik ik ik, similar in cadence to a gull's call.

Breeding

Bald eagles typically mate for life and are known for their large nests, which are the largest of any North American bird. They reach sexual maturity at four to five years and often return to the area where they were born to breed.

Similar Species

The bald eagle can be confused with the golden eagle, but the bald eagle has a larger head with a more massive beak and a flatter, straighter-edged wing profile in flight.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of bald eagles is varied, but they primarily consume fish. They are also known to eat birds, mammals, and carrion. They are skilled hunters and scavengers, often stealing prey from other animals or feeding on carrion left by predators.

Conservation status

Once on the brink of extirpation in the contiguous United States, the bald eagle has made a remarkable recovery. Its status was upgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" in 1995 and was removed from the list of threatened species altogether in 2007. The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.