Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The Bald Eagle, *Haliaeetus leucocephalus*, is a majestic North American raptor, instantly recognizable by its dazzling white head and tail contrasting sharply with its dark brown body. Adults typically measure 70-102 cm (28-40 inches) in length with an impressive wingspan of 1.8-2.3 meters (5.9-7.5 feet) and weigh 3-6.3 kg (6.6-13.9 lbs), with females generally larger than males, representing a moderate sexual dimorphism. Juveniles are a mottled brown, gradually acquiring their iconic adult ...
Bald Eagles prefer habitats near large bodies of water such as coasts, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, which provide abundant fish and tall, mature trees for nesting and roosting. They can be found from sea level to mountainous regions, always close to a reliable food source.
Their diet consists predominantly of fish, which they catch using their strong talons, supplemented by waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion, making them adept opportunistic predators and scavengers.
Bald Eagles are primarily diurnal hunters, often roosting communally in large trees near water bodies during the night. Their primary foraging strategy involves swooping down to snatch fish from the water's surface with their powerful talons, but they are opportunistic feeders, readily scavenging...
The Bald Eagle's range spans across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada down through the contiguous United States and into northern Mexico. Its breeding range covers most of Canada and Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes region, and the southeastern United States, with signif...
Least Concern
- Despite its name, the Bald Eagle's head is not actually bald but covered with white feathers; the word 'bald' comes from an older meaning of 'white-headed'. - Bald Eagles build some of the largest nests of any bird in North America, often measuring 4-6 feet across and 2-4 feet deep, and weighin...