Lisa O
There are over 60 types of eagles around the world, but only two types call North America home and one of those is the Bald Eagle. You’ll often spot this bird hanging around Big Bear Lake all year long. It’s been a symbol of strength and freedom in the U.S. for ages, but there’s way more to this impressive bird than you might think! Check out these 15 interesting facts about the Bald Eagle.
Not Really Bald
The bald eagle’s name is kind of misleading. The word “bald” actually comes from an old English term “piebald,” which means white-headed. The eagle’s head is covered in bright white feathers that pop against its dark brown body. From far away, it can look like the eagle’s head is featherless, which is how it got its name.
National Bird of the U.S.
The bald eagle became the national bird and symbol of the United States in 1782, beating out the wild turkey. Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin actually wanted the turkey, thinking it was a more respectable bird. But in the end, the eagle won because it represented strength, power, and freedom. Ever since then, the bald eagle has appeared on everything from the presidential seal to many government documents and even money.
Impressive Wingspan
The wingspan of a bald eagle is seriously impressive. It usually stretches between 6 to 8 feet—with females having slightly longer wingspans than males. Their wide wings help them fly high in the sky for long periods without needing much energy, as they use warm air currents to glide smoothly. This massive wingspan also helps them cover big areas while hunting for food.
Monogamous by Nature
Bald eagles are known for their tight family bonds. They’re one of the few bird species that stick together for life. Once they’re a pair—they team up every year to raise their chicks. Their partnership isn’t just about making babies, they also work together to hunt, guard their territory, and build their nests. This kind of teamwork is super important for their survival in the wild.
Incredible Vision
The term “eagle-eyed” is spot on! Bald eagles have amazing eyesight—way better than ours. They can see four to five times farther than we can. Their eyes are built to focus clearly on things miles away, so they can spot prey even while flying high up. This super vision helps them find fish, small animals, and other food with incredible accuracy.
Nesting Champions
When it comes to building their nests, bald eagles really go big. Their nests are huge, often built high up in tall trees close to water. These nests, known as aeries, get used year after year, with the eagles adding more stuff to them each season. Because of this, some nests can get massive—up to 9 feet wide and 20 feet deep, and they can weigh over a ton!
Their Diet is Not Just Fish
Although bald eagles are often pictured grabbing fish from rivers or lakes, they actually have a pretty varied diet. They’re opportunistic eaters, which means they’ll munch on whatever they can find. Fish are their main go-to, but they also hunt small mammals like rabbits and squirrels, waterfowl like ducks, and even scavenge on dead animals (that’s called carrion).
They Are Excellent Divers
Bald eagles are top-notch hunters, and their diving skills are a big part of what makes them so successful. When they spot something they want to eat, they can dive at amazing speeds—sometimes hitting 75 to 100 mph. Their sharp talons are just right for grabbing fish from the water or snatching up prey from the ground. Their dives mix speed, accuracy, and strength, which makes them super effective hunters.
Endangered, Then Saved
In the mid-20th century, bald eagles were in big trouble. They got hit hard by losing their homes, illegal hunting, and the widespread use of the pesticide DDT. By the 1960s, only around 400 nesting pairs were left in the lower 48 states, putting them close to extinction. But with some serious conservation efforts, legal protection, and ditching DDT, their numbers bounced back.
The Juveniles Look Different
They Can Live a Long Time
In the wild, bald eagles typically live around 20 to 30 years, but they can stick around even longer if everything goes well. Factors like having enough food, avoiding predators, and less human interference all help them live longer. In captivity, where they’re kept safe from most dangers and get regular care—some eagles have even lived up to 50 years or more.
Found Only in North America
The bald eagle is a North American exclusive. You’ll spot them from the chilly areas of Alaska and Canada all the way down to the warmer spots in northern Mexico. Alaska has the biggest crowd of bald eagles, with around 30,000 birds living there. They usually hang out near big bodies of water, like rivers, lakes, and coastlines, where they can find plenty of food.
They Don’t Make Sounds Like in the Movies
The dramatic cry you hear from bald eagles in movies and TV shows isn’t quite right. In real life, bald eagles actually make a high-pitched, whistling, or chattering noise. The intense screech you hear in films is usually from a red-tailed hawk, which has a much scarier call. Hollywood often swaps the sounds to make eagles seem more dramatic and imposing.
They Steal Food
Eagles have a bit of a sneaky side—they’re known for stealing food from ospreys, hawks, and even other eagles. This trick, called “kleptoparasitism,” happens more often when food is in short supply. Usually, it will chase down a bird like a gull or a younger eagle until it drops its meal, then the eagle swoops in and snatches it up for itself.
They Can Swim
Bald eagles have a surprising trick—they can actually swim. If an eagle catches a fish that’s too heavy to lift, it won’t just let it go. Instead, it’ll paddle its way to shore using its wings like oars. While swimming isn’t their first choice for getting around, it shows how determined and adaptable they are when it comes to getting a meal.