Bald Eagle - a beautiful bird of prey
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
How many of you have seen a bald eagle? Aren't they beautiful and majestic? I think they are. My husband and I started birding for eagles in 2007. I had recently gone to digital. We went up to Goose Island in Wisconsin where we saw the above photo. A mom and her young. What a sight!
Ready for the stats? Eagles are 3'4" long and have a wingspan of 6'8" and weigh between 6.5 and 14 lb. They are approximately 3' long and are the second largest bird of prey. The largest: the condor.
Eagles have been revered since they were first sighted. The United States decided to make it their emblem. The year was 1782. The native Americans revered the eagle as power, enlightenment, strength and more.
How many of you have gone to eagle days? I have once and then, knowing where to go to see the eagles, have gone with family. The photo here depicts the eagles on the river at one such visits. Eagles soar for their fish and take them to solid ground to enjoy their meal. They can soar up to 10,000 miles up. We saw this when we were up north.
Their feet (called talons) are very strong. They use them to capture their prey as well as land and stand, of course. You can see them folded into its tail in the above photo. They live near water where their meal can be found. Did you know that they don't have to eat every day? They are able to store the food in their digestive system.
The photo to the right was taken in Alaska. We went on a river boat adventure. It was amazing to see them. This one never moved when we were going by. Its head, of course, did move.
Eagles live for between 15 and 35 years. They are also prey. Who eats eagles? No one. It's their eggs that are eaten by squirrels, crows and others. Recent
news has taught us that black flies and gnats are infecting eaglets, sometimes causing death. Just like horses, cattle and other livestock are bothered/poisoned by the
black flies, large birds are as well. How sad it is to hear this. I
know.
When you are out, keep your eyes open. You may see an eagle!
Thank you for visiting.
Judy
References:
Alderfer,
J. (2013). National Geographic Kids: Bird Guide of North America
Wells, D. (2002). 100 Birds and How
They Got Their Name
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