Haliaeetus Leucocephalus
The feathers of the bald eagle are brown with white spots until it is about five years old. They are referred to as immature eagles until the plumage on their heads and tails become white. The Bald Eagle is a large bird of prey with a wing span 6 1/2 to 8 ft. The beak, eyes and feet are yellow. Their legs are large and feathered halfway down. Bald Eagles have very strong grasping toes, along with long sharp talons.
Bald Eagles make a series of squeaks/squawks and screams to communicate.
Bald Eagles can be found along alpine ridges, deciduous woodlands, rivers, tidal flats and beaches. Bald Eagles are very adaptable birds. There is a story of a pair that actually nested on a giant cactus. They are found only in North America. There are more Eagles in Alaska than anywhere else in the US.
Bald Eagles are sexually mature at about five years of age. They often use the same nest each year. The Eagle will choose a tree close to water, with a clear view of the area. Both the female and male participate in nest building. In April two to three eggs are laid several days apart. The incubation period is 35 days. The eggs hatch a few days apart from each other. This creates competition for food among siblings. The youngest on is either killed or starves to death. The survivors leave the nest for the first time after 75 days.
The Bald Eagle is somewhat migratory. If they a have access to a open water source, they’ll use the same nesting site year round. The Eagles that do migrate go south along the coast; choosing routes with plenty of food sources, warm air currents and updrafts. Migration normally occurs between 8:00am and 6:00pm. Eagles use three methods of flight when migrating. The will ascend in a thermal, glide down and circle, following the air current. They will also use the wind as a boost when taking off from a cliff.
The Bald Eagle’s primary food source is fish, especially salmon. They will eat other birds, small mammals, clams and crabs. The Eagle sits on its perch and looks for its prey. Once dinner is spotted the eagle will swiftly fly down & grab the prey with its talons. Bald Eagles can also be thieves when it comes to prey, and will take prey from other birds.
Humans are the Bald Eagles main predators, although the young could be taken by another bird of prey.
On June 20, 1782 the Bald Eagle became the national symbol of the United States.
On June 28, 2007 the Bald Eagle was removed from the endangered species list. The bald eagle is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which make it illegal for anyone to have any part of an eagle, its nest or eggs. Native Americans are exempt from this law because the eagle is a traditional part of their cultures.
Birds of Alaska By, Robert H. Armstrong
Bald Eagle Information.com
Animal Diversity Web Through The University of Michigan museum of Zoology
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Haliaeetus_leucocephalus.html
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife notebook series
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