Pl. XCVI
The Birds · Plate XCVI
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Accipitridae · Taxon 5305
| Length | 71–96 cm |
| Wingspan | 1.78–2.29 m |
| Weight | 3.0–6.3 kg |
Field marks
- Massive, heavy-bodied raptor with a large projecting head and long, hooked bill
- Adults have a snowy-white head and tail contrasting sharply with dark-brown body and wings
- Bright yellow bill and legs, pale yellow eyes, and black talons
- Long, very broad wings held flat when soaring, with separated primary tips
- Immatures are brown overall with irregular white mottling on the body, wings, and tail
HabitatLarge lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes, estuaries, and coasts, especially where abundant fish and tall mature trees provide feeding, nesting, and perching sites; also forages in open uplands and around carrion.
BehaviorPowerful soaring and gliding flier that also uses slow, heavy wingbeats. An opportunistic predator and scavenger that feeds chiefly on fish, but also takes birds and mammals, eats carrion, and steals prey from other birds. Often solitary or paired, but may gather where food is concentrated.
Palette
snowy whitedark chocolate browngolden yellowpale straw-yellowblack