Bald Eagle Qualities

Bald Eagle 

The bald eagle,is the proud national bird symbol of the United States, the only eagle unique to North America. 

The bald eagle is actually a sea eagle that commonly occurs inland along rivers and large lakes. The bald eagle's scientific name signifies a sea eagle with a white head. At one time, the word "bald" meant "white," not hairless. This powerful eagle is North America's largest bird of prey and the national bird of Mexico. This birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks.  Bald Eagles are usually fish eaters,  baldies aren’t really built for terrestrial hunting they do not  have super powerful feet or have the toe-joints flexibly  skewer an animal with any relevant accuracy. Their talons and rough-padded feet are made for gripping slippery prey like fish to keep it from escaping,

They are extremely swift & can dive upon their quarry at speeds of more than 150 miles per hour.

Size  & Description

Bald eagles are large, predatory raptors that are recognizable for their brown body and wings, 

white head and tail, and hooked yellow beak. Their feet, which are also yellow, are equipped with sharp black talons. Bald eagles grow to about 2.5 to 3 feet in height, and they have an impressive wingspan of 6.5 feet. Female bald eagles are larger than the males.

Distribution & Habit 

Bald eagles are North American birds. Their range extends from the Mexico border through the United States and Canada. 

The birds are extremely populous in Alaska. 

They can be seen year-round in Alaska, along the East and West coasts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Mississippi River. The rest of the United States only sees bald eagles during the winter and their migration. During the summer, they can be seen soaring above lakes and in nearby trees. They prefer lakes and reservoirs with lots of fish and surrounding forests. In the winter, bald eagles can be seen around unfrozen lakes and hunting along coastlines, reservoirs, and rivers. During their migration, bald eagles are seen near all types of water habitats.

Diet

Bald eagles love fish. 

These birds are opportunistic predators, and when fish aren't available, they'll eat whatever they can catch, including small birds and rodents. Bald eagles are also scavengers that will feed on carrion. If they see an opportunity, bald eagles may even steal food from other birds such as osprey.

Behavior

Bald Eagles are powerful fliers—soaring, gliding, and flapping over long distances. 

In one of several spectacular courtship displays, a male and female fly high into the sky, lock talons, and cartwheel downward together, breaking off at the last instant to avoid crashing to earth. Bald Eagles frequently harass birds including Ospreys and other eagles to steal their food, and occasionally do the same to mammals such as river or sea otters. On the ground, Bald Eagles walk in an awkward, rocking gait. Capable of floating, a Bald Eagle may use its wings to “row” over water too deep for wading. Though often solitary, Bald Eagles congregate by the scores or even the hundreds at communal roosts and feeding sites, particularly in winter. These groups can be boisterous, with birds jostling for position and bickering over prey. During breeding season you may see Bald Eagles defending their territories from a variety of intruders, including raptors and ravens, coyotes and foxes. When feeding at carcasses, Bald Eagles may push Black and Turkey Vultures out of the way; Bald Eagles are often harassed or chased by their fellow raptors and by songbirds including blackbirds, crows, and flycatchers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Thank You ❤