# Bald Eagle (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) The Bald Eagle is a majestic bird known for its white head and tail. It has a strong beak and sharp talons, making it a powerful hunter. Bald Eagles can often be seen soaring high in the sky or perched on tall trees near water. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 646 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** American Eagle, White-headed Eagle ![Bald Eagle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425885/objects/30.jpg) ## Appearance The Bald Eagle is a large raptor with a distinctive white head and tail, sharply contrasting with its dark brown body. Its powerful, hooked beak and strong talons are a bright yellow, making it easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Haliaeetus ## Interesting facts - A group of Bald Eagles flying together is called a 'convocation'! - Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, sometimes weighing over a ton! - The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States, chosen in 1782! - They often steal fish from other birds, like ospreys, rather than hunting themselves! ## Special abilities - **Sharp-Eyed Hunter:** Bald Eagles have incredibly powerful eyesight that helps them spot fish from hundreds of feet above, even through water. - **Grip of Steel:** Bald Eagles possess immensely strong talons which allow them to snatch and carry prey weighing several pounds while flying. - **Soaring Master:** Bald Eagles can soar effortlessly on thermals, conserving energy as they scan vast areas for food with minimal effort. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 70-102 cm - **Wingspan:** 180-230 cm - **Weight:** 3-6.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 75 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-3 - **Incubation:** 34-36 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Bald Eagles are expert hunters that mostly feast on fish, but they also eat other small animals and carrion. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Waterfowl, Small mammals, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) — Main food source in many freshwater habitats. - **Hunts:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Often harasses ospreys to steal their freshly caught fish. - **Eats:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons occasionally raid nests for eggs or chicks. - **Hunts:** [Atlantic Salmon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-salmon) (*Salmo salar*) — Important prey during spawning seasons in specific regions. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a Bald Eagle, enjoy watching it from a distance. Don't try to get too close! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bald Eagle? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bald Eagle? 70-102 cm ### What is Bald Eagle's wingspan? 180-230 cm ### How much does Bald Eagle weigh? 3-6.3 kg ### How long does Bald Eagle live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Bald Eagle move? 75 km/h ### What does Bald Eagle eat? Bald Eagles are expert hunters that mostly feast on fish, but they also eat other small animals and carrion. ### Where is Bald Eagle usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Brookfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Brooks River Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooks-river-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Brookside Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookside-reservation) — Ohio, US · Park [View all places to see Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bald-eagle) ## Watch - [Play video: Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/videos/bald-eagle) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/published_manually) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bald Eagle: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle)