Dimensions, Feeding Habits, and Historical Significance of the Bald Eagle as a National Symbol

For a young country in search of a national bird, the bald eagle stands out as an exceptional choice. With its striking silhouette, piercing eyes, contrasting white and brown plumage, and impressive wingspan, it embodies grandeur. Considering its size, habitat, and natural elegance, the bald eagle emerges as an ideal emblem for a nation.

This sentiment likely resonated with U.S. Congress members in 1789 when they selected the bald eagle to symbolize the emerging nation.

To learn more about bald eagles, we consulted Scott Courdin, a wildlife curator at the Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball, Jr. Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. Courdin, a skilled falconer, oversees the center's collection, which features two bald eagles.

A Wingspan Ranging from 6 to 7 Feet Is Common

Female bald eagles are notably larger than males, weighing between 10 and 14 pounds (4.5 to 6.3 kilograms) and boasting a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters). Male bald eagles, on the other hand, weigh approximately 9 to 10 pounds (4 to 4.5 kilograms) and have a wingspan of about 5.5 to 6 feet (1.6 to 1.8 meters).

Although the bald eagle's size is remarkable, it isn't the only bird in North America with an impressive wingspan. The golden eagle, for instance, often matches the bald eagle's wingspan, measuring around 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters).

In contrast, the California condor surpasses the bald eagle in wingspan, with adults reaching an impressive 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3 meters).

Bald(e) Is Beautiful

The term 'bald' in the adult bald eagle's name doesn't refer to a lack of hair but to its white head. The name originates from the Middle English word 'balde,' which translates to 'white.'

Interestingly, bald eagles only develop their iconic white head and tail feathers upon reaching maturity, typically between 4 and 5 years of age.

Juvenile bald eagles don't acquire their adult plumage until around their fifth year. During their early years, they display mostly dark brown feathers with patches of brown and white on their wings, unlike the distinctive white head and neck of mature eagles.

Bald Eagles Primarily Feast on Fish

What else do bald eagles consume? Their diet primarily consists of fish, waterfowl, and small prey such as rabbits, squirrels, or rodents. They need a vast hunting range, approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers). An average 6-pound (2.7-kilogram) eagle can easily survive on two adult rats.

"That's a daily meal," explains Courdin. "However, most eagles don't eat daily because they often catch prey large enough to sustain them for several days. They store food in their crop, a digestive system component that allows them to hold food temporarily, providing sustenance for two to three days or even longer."

Bald Eagles: Both Scavengers and Predators

As a species of sea eagle, the bald eagle's preference for fish in its diet is unsurprising.

Bald eagles are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they eat whatever is readily available. This includes scavenging dead fish along shorelines or even pilfering prey from other birds like ospreys.

This food-stealing behavior is known by a specific term: "kleptoparasitism." It's more prevalent among younger bald eagles. As they mature, they become skilled hunters. When hunting, a bald eagle uses its sharp talons to seize its prey with precision and efficiency.

A Bird with a Vast Habitat

Bald eagles are the sole sea eagles native to North America, and their range is extensive. They inhabit areas from Southern Alaska to Northern Mexico, spanning coast to coast.

Their unique appearance makes them easily distinguishable from other birds, even other large eagle species.

Unlike other raptors, such as the red-tailed hawk, there's no confusion when identifying a bald eagle. Whether compared to a white-tailed eagle, Steller's sea eagle, or other large eagles worldwide, the sight of a white-headed bird soaring overhead unmistakably confirms it's a bald eagle.

Bald Eagles Are Monogamous for Life

Bald eagles form lifelong pair bonds. If one partner dies, the surviving eagle may find a new mate. Together, they construct nests, known as aeries, a process that typically takes one to three months. Both parents share responsibilities, alternating incubation duties, though females often spend more time on the nest.

Bald Eagles Produce Only One Set of Eggs Annually

Since it takes 10 to 12 weeks for eaglets to mature and fledge, bald eagles lay just one clutch of eggs each year. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, which lasts about 35 days.

"If their eggs or young are lost early in the breeding season, bald eagles may lay a second clutch to attempt reproduction again," explains Courdin. "This strategy, known as 'double clutching,' played a key role in recovering the bald eagle population. Conservationists would remove eggs early in the season, prompting the eagles to lay a replacement set."

Their Nests Are Massive

Bald eagles construct the largest nests of any bird species in North America. On average, their nests measure 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) in diameter and 2 to 4 feet (0.5 to 1.2 meters) in depth. The largest recorded nest, built by a pair in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 9 feet (2.9 meters) wide, 20 feet (6 meters) deep, and weighed an astonishing 2 tons (1.8 metric tons).

"Eagles only occupy their nests during breeding season, incubation, and while raising their young," Courdin explains. "Once the fledglings learn to fly and leave the nest, the eagles no longer reside there."

These skilled nest builders often return to the same nest annually, provided the tree supporting it remains stable. If the tree can no longer hold the nest, they will relocate.

Bald Eagles Have Long Memories

Courdin has extensive experience with raptors and notes that bald eagles stand out uniquely among them.

"They have an incredible memory and can hold grudges," he explains. "A single mistake during training can undo months of progress or even ruin the entire training process." Courdin shared that training Freedom, the male bald eagle at the Raptor Center, took five years.

The Turkey Almost Became America's National Bird

Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as the national bird, describing it as more "respectable" and a true native of America.

Courdin points out that Franklin's criticism stemmed from the bald eagle's scavenging behavior. "They are scavengers," he says. "Unlike most other raptors, bald eagles will readily feed on carrion, such as dead animals on roadsides, whereas other birds of prey only resort to carrion when desperate."

Despite differing opinions, the bald eagle was selected to symbolize strength, bravery, and liberty. Contrary to Franklin's remarks, the bald eagle is exclusively native to North America, setting it apart from other eagle species.