MEASUREMENTS: The Bald Eagle has a body length of 28 - 38 inches, a wingspan ranging from 6 - 7 1/2 feet, and a body weight averaging 7 - 14 pounds. HABITAT: Bald Eagles are found through much of coastal Alaska, southern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, and Baja California. These birds stay near large bodies of water. DIET: Fish is the primary food for Bald Eagles, but they will also eat carrion, birds, small mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. The Bald Eagle will survey prey from a perch or while soaring. When prey is found, this eagle will swoop down to snatch the prey. They may also wade into shallow water or take food from other birds. REPRODUCTION: Bald Eagles build their stick nest in tall trees or on cliffs, and locate them near large bodies of water. The female lays 1 - 3 eggs with a usual clutch size of 2 eggs. The eggs are incubated for approximately 35 days, and the young eagles fledge 10 - 12 weeks after hatching. Bald Eagles become sexually mature at 5 - 6 years with maturity usually corresponding to when their head and tail feathers become white. NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name means “a white-headed sea eagle” and comes from the Greek words halos, meaning sea; aetos meaning an eagle; leukos meaning white; and kephalus referring to the head. Bald is from the Middle English word balled, meaning shining white. Some of the previous names are American Eagle, White-headed Eagle, and American Fish Eagle. INTERESTING FACTS: There was once a bounty on Bald Eagles in Alaska. It was thought that these eagles competed directly with a fisherman’s livelihood. Later, it was found to be economically negligible and the bounty was eventually removed. Bald Eagles are protected from harm by a number of state and federal laws. Like many animals that have an extensive range, Bald Eagles living in the colder northern limits of this bird’s range are larger than the eagles living in the warmer southern end of the range. The Bald Eagle is the national symbol of the United States and is found on the presidential seal, money, and stamps.

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