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The
Bald Eagle
Wingspan 6.5-8 ft; length 31-37 in. Adults have a dark brown with a white head and tail, yellow eyes and beak. The immatures are all dark with some white mottled in the wings and tail. The eyes and beak are dark. As the birds mature around 4-5 yrs of age they start getting the white tail and head and the eyes and beak start turning yellow. Formerly distributed across North America, they are now limited to breeding in Alaska, Canada, the northern Great Lakes states, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest. Bald Eagles move south for the winter to open water areas that attract large numbers of waterfowl or dying fish. Bald Eagles nest on the edge of rivers, lakes, or sea shores. In winter and on migration they can be found where there is open water attracting sufficient food, and evening roost sites. Bald Eagle buld a large stick nest (sometimes weighing over 1 ton) that are usualy about 6 feet in diameter and over 6 feet tall. Nests are built near the top of the largest trees near a river or lake. The birds start nesting in March when the female lays from 1-3 eggs. Both the male and female share incubation duties. The young hatch after 35 days and grow very quicky being ready to leave the nest at between 10 and 12 weeks of age. Bald Eagles commonly feed on fish which they will catch themselves, find dead, or pirate from other birds such as the Osprey. They will also feed on a variety of carrion or live prey including waterfowl and other birds, turtles, and rabbits. |