Birds · Raptors
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Least Concern
Eagles are large, powerful birds of prey found across the world, known for exceptional eyesight and strong, hooked talons used to catch and carry prey. The bald eagle, found only in North America, is the national bird and symbol of the United States.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Haliaeetus
Species: leucocephalus
Related species: Golden eagle, harpy eagle, white-tailed eagle — family Accipitridae
Wingspan
6–7.5 feet, with golden eagles reaching the largest spans.
Weight
6.5–14 lbs, with females larger than males.
Habitat
Forest, coastline, mountain, and open plains near water.
Description
A dark brown body, white head and tail, and a large yellow hooked beak.
Diet
Carnivore — mainly fish, along with small mammals and birds.
Eyesight
Estimated 4–8 times sharper than a human's, able to spot prey from over a mile away.
Flight
Soars on thermal air currents; can dive at speeds over 100 mph.
Nesting
Builds enormous stick nests called eyries, reused and enlarged year after year.
Clutch Size
Typically 1–3 eggs, incubated for about 35 days.
Sexually Mature
4–5 years of age.
Life Span
20–30 years in the wild.
Social Structure
Largely solitary or paired; mated pairs often stay together for life.
Did You Know?
An eagle's eyesight is estimated to be 4–8 times sharper than a human's.
Did You Know?
The bald eagle nearly went extinct in the U.S. in the 1960s due to the pesticide DDT, before recovering under legal protection.
Did You Know?
Bald eagle nests are among the largest of any bird — some have been found weighing over a ton after years of reuse.
Types of Eagles
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus — U.S. national bird
Haliaeetus leucocephalus — U.S. national bird
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos — largest wingspan of North American eagles
Aquila chrysaetos — largest wingspan of North American eagles
Harpy Eagle
Harpia harpyja — one of the largest and most powerful raptors
Harpia harpyja — one of the largest and most powerful raptors
White-tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla — largest eagle in Europe
Haliaeetus albicilla — largest eagle in Europe
Philippine Eagle
Pithecophaga jefferyi — critically endangered forest eagle
Pithecophaga jefferyi — critically endangered forest eagle
Eagle in Foreign Languages
Frenchaigle
GermanAdler
Italianaquila
Portugueseáguia
Spanisháguila
Russianoryol
Polishorzeł
Japanesewashi
Mandarinyīng
Koreandokkeobi
Dutcharend
Swedishörn
Norwegianørn
Finnishkotka
