Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Identification: Bald Eagles are 25-35 inches in length with a wingspread of six to eight feet. Adult plumage of white head and tail may not be completely achieved until the sixth year. Immature birds are a rather uniform brown and do not start to show any of the white feathering until their third year. Immature birds may be distinguished in flight from Turkey and Black Vultures by their flight profile and wing coloration. Eagles have a straight wing profile, whereas Turkey Vultures fly with their wings held in a shallow "V". Eagles lack the whitish patches seen on the Black Vulture's wing tips.

Range & Habitat: The Bald Eagle is a species exclusive to North America , but is occasionally sighted in Mexico. Bald Eagles occur throughout Florida, but are mainly observed in estuarine areas and along the large lakes and river-drainage basins within the interior of the state. In Florida, due to extensive urbanization, they are rapidly becoming accustomed to living in urban areas.

Reproduction: Pairs usually mate for life. The nest is constructed from near ground level (10 feet in mangroves along the coast) to about 100 feet high in trees, usually live pine or cypress, near water. Nest structures (particularly old nests) can be immense, sometimes reaching nine feet across and weighing several tons. Birds may use the same nest year after year, adding new nesting material each year to increase the size. Clutch size is usually two eggs incubated for 34-35 days by both parents. Young birds fly about 72-75 days after hatching.

Diet: Fish make up over 50% of the diet, depending on the bird's location. Most individuals probably eat more than 80% fish. The Bald Eagle is a superb fisherman and an agile raptor, but often prefers to find food in the easiest possible way. Where it can, the Bald Eagle will rob another eagle or Osprey of its catch. Eagles also eat other vertebrates such as ducks, coots, rabbits and rodents. This species will eat carrion (dead animals) as well.

Remarks: Historically, disturbance of nesting birds, illegal shootings, loss of nest trees and reduced reproduction (eggshell thinning) as a result of pesticides ingested with food led to the eagle's listing as a federally endangered species. Recovery efforts including captive breeding, reintroduction, habitat preservation and rehabilitation of injured birds have led to the species recovery in many regions throughout the U.S.

In Old English "balde" means "white;" "Bald-headed Eagle" meant "white-headed Eagle" and later was shortened to just "Bald Eagle."