Bald Eagle
The bald eagle, symbol of the United States, is recognized by its white head and tail contrasting with dark brown wings. It soars above lakes, rivers, and coasts in search of fish, and is known to steal prey from ospreys or feed on carrion when the opportunity arises. After coming close to extinction due to hunting and pesticide use, strict legal protection enabled a strong and lasting recovery.
Habitat and distribution
The bald eagle is native to North America, ranging from the forests and coastlines of Alaska and Canada through most of the contiguous United States to northern Mexico. A small population also occurs in the Russian Far East. It strongly favors habitats near water, including coastal shorelines, large rivers, reservoirs, and inland lakes where fish are plentiful. Nesting pairs require tall, mature trees close to water for building their large stick nests, and they tend to avoid densely urbanized areas.
Diet
Fish make up the bulk of the bald eagle's diet, particularly salmon, trout, and other species found near the surface or in shallow water. It hunts by diving from a height or snatching prey at the water's surface with its powerful talons. The species is also an opportunistic feeder: it takes waterfowl, rabbits, and other small mammals, and readily consumes carrion. It is well known for stealing fish from ospreys, a behavior called kleptoparasitism that even Benjamin Franklin cited when objecting to the species' selection as national bird.
Behavior
Bald eagles are powerful fliers capable of reaching speeds of around 65 km/h and soaring for hours on thermal currents. They build some of the largest nests of any bird in North America, massive structures of sticks and branches that the same pair adds to year after year. Some nests reach over 2.5 meters in diameter and weigh several hundred kilograms. They are monogamous and typically pair for life, returning each breeding season to the same nest site to raise one to three chicks.
Symbolism
Chosen as the national bird and national animal of the United States in 1782, the bald eagle appears on the Great Seal of the nation, on currency, federal agency emblems, and the presidential flag. Its image has represented freedom and strength in American culture for over two centuries. The species also holds deep significance in many Indigenous cultures across North America, where its feathers are sacred and used in ceremonies. In several Native American traditions, the eagle is considered a messenger between humans and the spirit world.
Conservation
The bald eagle faced serious decline through much of the twentieth century due to unregulated hunting, habitat loss, and the widespread use of DDT, a pesticide that caused eggshell thinning and reproductive failure. By the 1960s, fewer than 500 nesting pairs remained in the contiguous United States. The ban on DDT in 1972 and protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act allowed the population to recover steadily. By 2007 it was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species list, and today an estimated 300,000 individuals exist.
Technical factsheet
Where it is found
The Bald Eagle can be found in places such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the bald eagle really bald?
No, the bald eagle is not bald. Its name comes from an older sense of the English word 'bald,' meaning white or having a white patch, similar to 'piebald.' Adult birds have bright white feathers covering the head and tail, contrasting with dark brown body plumage. Juveniles are mostly brown and only develop the distinctive white coloring once they reach sexual maturity, typically around four to five years of age.
What does a bald eagle eat?
Fish are the primary food source of the bald eagle. It hunts by swooping down to snatch them from near the water's surface using its powerful talons. It also eats waterfowl, rabbits, and other small animals, and readily scavenges carrion. The bald eagle is well known for stealing food from ospreys, a behavior called kleptoparasitism that even Benjamin Franklin cited when objecting to its selection as the national bird.
Where do bald eagles live?
Bald eagles are native to North America and can be found across most of Canada, the United States, and into northern Mexico. They require habitats near open bodies of water, including coastlines, large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, where fish are readily available. Alaska and British Columbia host some of the densest bald eagle populations in the world. A small number also occur in the Russian Far East.
Why is the bald eagle the national bird of the United States?
The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird of the United States in 1782 because it is native to North America and was seen as a symbol of power, freedom, and independence. It was included in the Great Seal to represent the new nation's strength and longevity. Not everyone agreed: Benjamin Franklin famously argued in favor of the wild turkey, which he considered more respectable and truly American.
Are bald eagles still endangered?
Bald eagles are no longer endangered. After facing near extinction during the twentieth century due to hunting, habitat loss, and the effects of DDT, a pesticide that caused reproductive failure, they recovered significantly following legal protections and the 1972 ban on DDT. The species was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species list in 2007. Today the estimated population stands at around 300,000 individuals, and the IUCN classifies it as Least Concern.
Do bald eagles mate for life?
Yes, bald eagles are generally monogamous and tend to pair with the same mate for life. They return to the same nest site each breeding season, adding to the nest year after year until it becomes enormous. However, if one partner dies, the surviving eagle will seek a new mate. Pairs typically produce one to three eggs per year, and both parents share responsibilities for incubating the eggs and raising the chicks.