Bald Eagle
Description: One of the largest raptors in North America, the bald eagle weighs 8 to 13 pounds; the female is larger than the male. The wing-span may be 7 or 8 feet across, and the bird’s body can stretch 3 feet from beak to tail. Juveniles are uniformly dark brown or mottled, with dark beaks, talons and eyes. In flight, the underside of the juvenile’s wings may be streaked or mottled with white feathers. The bald eagle isn’t “bald”; its name comes from the white feathers over the entire head. After five to six years, the birds achieve full adult plumage and coloring: a brilliant white head, neck and tail; bright yellow beak and feet; and pale yellow eyes. Bald eagles hold their wings flat when soaring high in the sky, unlike vultures and other large birds whose wings make a slight vee.
Classification
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Average Size
Body: Up to 3 ft. long, beak
to tail.
Wingspan: 7 to 8 ft.
Weight: 8 to 13 lbs.
Food: Bald eagles feed on fish, water birds, small mammals and carrion. They usually scavenge sick or dying prey, but will take food from other birds if they can.