Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Photo by D. L. Pietryka - http://www.blitzworld.com
Besides being our nation's symbol, Bald Eagles are one of our largest birds. They grow almost three feet tall, with a wingspan of close to seven feet. Females are usually slightly larger than males. Adult eagles are
blackish-brown with a white head and tail. Bald eagles also
have a long, heavy yellow bill
which is curved for tearing prey. Young eagles are mostly
dark. They do not get the white head and tail until they are
full grown. Bald Eagles live near water, including lakes, rivers, marshes,
bays, and oceans. They are most often seen flying high above
land or water, or perched at the tops of trees. Eagles can fly about 65
miles per hour in regular flight, and up to 200 miles per
hour in a dive. They can also swim when they need
to. Even though bald eagles
migrate,
we have them in our area year-round. Photo by Martin Fulfer,
TPWD U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Bald Eagles breed
when they are five years old. When a male and female get
together, they perform a courtship
display which includes diving and locking talons
(claws) in the air. Bald eagles mate for life, staying
together unless one of them dies. Eagles make huge nests,
up to nine feet across, and weighing about two tons. Most of
the nest is made of large branches. Other nest materials
include: sticks, moss,
grasses, leaves, weeds,
and sprigs (branches and twigs with green leaves or needles
still on them). Nests are usually built
in tall trees, especially Eastern White Pine and aspens. A
pair of eagles uses the same nest each year, adding new
materials.
NOAA
Female bald eagles lay
two or three eggs. Both parents protect the nest. Sometimes
older nestlings kill their yournger siblings. Young eagles
can fly when they are about three months old, but parents
continue to feed them for another month and a half until
they learn to hunt. About half of eagles die before they are
a year old. Bald Eagles eat mostly fish, both dead and alive. Dead or dying fish, washed up on shore, are a favorite food. Other foods include: ducks, snakes, turtles, muskrats, rabbits, frogs, fawns (baby deer), mice, snails, other birds, vulture vomit, and carrrion. Bald eagles often chase
other raptors (bird predators), especially Osprey, until
they drop their kills. When the other bird drops its prey,
the eagle immediately stops chasing and grabs the
food. Some birds eagles
compete
for food with include Osprey, gulls, ravens, and
hawks. Bald eagles keep an eye
out for crowds of crows, gulls, or vultures. They then swoop
in and steal carrion (dead animal). USFWS Photo Copyright, www.nikographer.com Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife Great Horned Owls
sometimes compete for eagle nests. Owls breed before eagles
do, so they try to move in before the eagles get
there. Great Horned Owls and
mice also nest in the lower parts of a big nest made by
eagles -- even when the eagles are using it! Because of their size, adult Bald Eagles have very few predators.
Some animals which attack eggs or nestlings include
squirrels, Raccoons, Ravens, and Great Horned
Owls. Crows, which don't like
any raptors, will harrass (bother) eagles, but rarely do any
harm. Bald eagles can spot a
fish when they are hundreds of feet above water. This is
because eagles have excellent eyesight. They can also spot
prey at great distances when they are perched. Scientists think the
reason eagles put sprigs of trees in their nests, is because
the odor helps keep away parasites,
such as blow flies. Eastern White Pine sprigs seem to be the
eagles' top choice. Parasites could weaken, or even kill, a
young eagle. USFWS
Copyright, Jim Henry