10 Fun Facts About the Bald Eagle

Whether or not etched on the again of a United States quarter or perched on a towering treetop, the Bald Eagle is well probably the most recognizable birds on the earth. These giant and highly effective raptors will be discovered alongside coastlines and round our bodies of water all through North America, elevating their younger in large, record-breaking nests and ruling their territory as a high predator.

The Bald Eagle’s simple majesty has earned it longtime standing because the mascot of america, however the fowl additionally has some surprisingly quirky traits, like its dicey aerial courtship routine or love of landfills. Learn on to study extra enjoyable details about this treasured American icon—however possibly simply brace your self to be disenchanted while you study the reality about their calls. 

1.) No, Bald Eagles aren’t really bald. With a white-feathered head that’s a placing distinction to its brown physique, this fowl proves its identify deceptive—no less than within the twenty first century. The identify was seemingly first utilized by early North American British settlers within the late sixteenth century and refers back to the Center English definition of the phrase “balde,” which didn’t describe hairlessness and as a substitute meant “white-headed.” The species’ scientific identify Haliaeetus leucocephalus additionally interprets actually to “white-headed sea eagle.”

2.) The Bald Eagle is the one eagle species discovered solely in North America, starting from Canada to northern Mexico. They’ve been noticed in each U.S. state besides Hawaii, and usually nest on forest treetops close to giant our bodies of water the place they will simply survey the realm for prey. Whereas some Bald Eagles are year-round residents throughout a lot of america, others are migratory, wintering within the Decrease 48 and summering in Canada.

3.) Impressed by the Bald Eagle’s placing look, the Second Continental Congress declared the fowl the nationwide image of america in 1782. Since then, Bald Eagles have been an emblem of American patriotism, with depictions of the raptor making their method onto forex, passports, army insignia, and flags. However it was solely lately, on December 24, 2024, that the species was formally designated the national bird by former president Joe Biden.

4.) Regardless of their regal aura and status as mighty hunters, Bald Eagles are literally opportunists that can usually steal prey as a substitute of monitoring down their very own meals. The raptor has a behavior of hounding Osprey and different searching birds for his or her catches mid-flight. Exhausted by the bully’s badgering, the sufferer loses grasp of its prey, just for it to be reclaimed by the eagle. Bald Eagles additionally haven’t any disgrace in the case of scavenging for meals scraps at landfills and sewage treatment plants.

5.) Within the mid-1900s, Bald Eagle populations crashed because of searching, habitat loss, and pesticide ingestion. With solely round 400 nesting pairs remaining within the continental United States by 1976, the eagles started making their comeback after DDT, a pesticide that made them produce weak egg shells, was banned in 1972 and the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. As of 2021, there have been an estimated 316,000 people within the nation, and their restoration is broadly thought of to be one of many best American conservation success tales.

6.) Bald Eagles usually mate for life, so when it comes time to choose a associate, they don’t maintain again on drama. After attracting one another with mating calls and constructing a nest, a female and male pair will carry out a theatrical courtship ritual generally referred to as a cartwheel display. The couple soars into the sky, locks talons, and spirals towards the bottom—releasing one another simply earlier than crashing. The pair then retreats to their nest to mate.

7.) Holder of the Guinness World Record for largest bird nest, these eagles construct exceptionally gargantuan properties. Made out of huge tree branches, plant stalks, seaweed, and different natural supplies, the nests usually stretch 5 to 6 ft large and two to 4 ft tall, relying on the form of the tree. The record-setter was inbuilt St. Petersburg, Florida and ran 10 ft large and 20 ft tall whereas weighing greater than 2 tons. In areas the place timber are scarce or overcrowded with different Bald Eagle pairs, the birds will sometimes construct nests on the ground.

8.) Although usually noticed gliding gracefully by means of the air, Bald Eagles are additionally expert swimmers. It’s not their go-to type of transport, however generally it’s price a giant meal. After snagging an additional heavy fish from the water, the eagle may choose to swim again to shore, performing a butterfly stroke of types with its wings.

9.) Bald Eagles are apex predators that may reside as much as 25 years within the wild and 50 in captivity. Sadly, human actions and threats put the birds in danger. The oldest-known wild Bald Eagle died at 38 years previous after being struck by a automotive in Henrietta, New York. Different widespread unnatural causes of demise embrace entanglements with energy traces, consumption of poisonous chemical substances like lead, and collisions with wind generators. Although faraway from the endangered species record in 2007, Bald Eagles stay federally protected below the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

10.) The subsequent time you hear a Bald Eagle sound an epic cry on TV, don’t be deceived: These formidable raptors even have meek, high-pitched cries which are usually changed with that of the Pink-tailed Hawk in motion pictures, tv reveals, and commercials. Pink-tailed Hawks make a sustained, piercing screech that sounds way more ominous and intimidating, making them the popular avian voice actor for Hollywood sound editors.