Bald Eagle Information
There is a great deal of Bald Eagle Information available online, where you can read everything about this magnificent bird. The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird of the USA, and it is found nowhere in the world except North America. Most of its population is concentrated in Alaska. Bald Eagles prefer to dwell in coastal areas, since fish is the basic component of their ratio. However, they do reach far into the continent, and their range extends from Alaska and down to Northern Mexico.
There are two types of the Bald Eagle: the northern and the southern type. Northern Bald Eagles are common north of 40 degree latitude, but they do visit southern regions. Southern Eagles are found in southern states, but they do fly into northern states and Canada at times. Northern Bald Eagles are a little larger than southern Bald Eagles. Southern Eagles usually stay in their areas year round or migrate northwards during hot seasons. Northern Bald Eagles move to the south during winter and then return to their permanent locations. Bald Eagle Information websites usually provide detailed knowledge on the Bald Eagle’s seasonal behavior.
Bald Eagles are not actually bald. They are called so because of the white feathering on their heads. Only mature species have white heads, while young birds are brown. Mature Eagles also have white feathers under the wings, on the breast, head and tail. They obtain this coloring by 3-4 years of age, and become fully mature by 4-5 years of age. Females are larger than males. On the average, Bald Eagles measure 30-40 inches in length, and their wingspan may reach 8 feet. In the wild, Bald Eagles live up to 40 years. Bald Eagle Information sources usually lay a great emphasis on the bird’s size, since it is one of America’s largest birds.
Although Bald Eagles feed primarily on fish, they also take small ground mammals, such as rabbits, snakes, rodents, as well as waterfowl. Sometimes they feed on carrion. Eagles usually hunt by swooping down on prey. They have a very sharp vision, which is about 1000 times better than humans’, and can spot prey from long distances. When flying or hovering, they can take advantage of air currents, thus storing up their energy for hunting. Bald Eagles are monogamous; i. e. pairs mate for lifetime, and only find new partners in case one of the two gets lost. They build large nests on tops of tall trees. Parents share the responsibility of caring for the young. Clutches average 2-3 eggs, and it takes 35 days for them to hatch. During the 20th century, Bald Eagle population decreased dramatically, and they were listed as endangered from 1967 to 1995. Because this bird means so much for the American nation, Bald Eagle Information is a matter of great interest for American people.
