Features:
30-43 inches with a wingspread of 7-8 feet.All white head
and white tail. Immatures all dark except whitish underwings
and tail base. When older (2-3 years) the underwings as
well as belly, flight feathers, tail and back begin to be
mottled with white.
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Overhead:
Adult |
Overhead:
Immature |
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Voice:
Sharp, creaking cackle…kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik, or lower kak kak
kak.
Nest:.
(Below) Bald eagle nests are visited each year by the eagle or the
offspring of that particular eagle. Each year the eagle adds to
the nest that already exists, creating a massive home. The nests
can weigh up to 1000 pounds and measure 5 by 5 feet.
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Above:
Bald eagle eggs are
short oval, rough in texture, and approximately 70 by 54 mm. |
Feathers:
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Adult Bald Eagle
1. nape: 5 ¾ in
2. P. w/coverts: 15 ¾ in
3. S. covert: 7 ¼ in
4. nape: 4 in
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Immature Bald Eagle
1. undertail covert: 6 in
2. center T: 15 ¼ in
3. T: 14 ½ in
4. outer T: 13 ¼ in
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| Immature Bald Eagle
1. inner P: 14 ¾ in
2. outer P: 19 ¾ in
3. outer P: 17 ¾ in
4. S covert: 5 ¼ in
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Immature
Bald Eagle
1, 2. S: 13 in
3. S w/ covert: 13 ¼ in
Note: Feather damage due to electrocution from power lines.
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Tracks:
6-7.5 in. L x 3.25-5 in. W
This very large classic bird track will have a weakly transmitted
metatarsal. The toe pads are very round and rough, used for
gripping prey. This is the largest track of raptors excluding
the golden eagle. The trail will exhibit a stride of 4 to
11 inches, although, walking is usually not prevalent along
the ground. The bald eagle generally is on the ground if feeding.
Look for feeding signs such as fish remains nearby the tracks.
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Foraging:
Bald eagles are fishing experts, as well as scavengers. Look for
fish remains of the head and spinal cord.
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Above: This
fish has been stripped by a bald eagle. The fishnor the ealge
tracks are fresh. |
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Left:
This is a clump of Canadian goose feathers below a perch where
a bald eagle ate the bird. |
| Skull:
Total 4 1/2 inches, Bill 2 1/16- 2 5/16 inches; Cranium 2 3/8-2
½ inches. |
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