American Bald Eagle Facts for Kids

Birds | Forest habitat

Have you ever spotted a huge bird soaring high above a lake or river? If it had a bright white head and tail with a dark brown body, you may have seen an American bald eagle. These amazing birds are one of the largest birds of prey in North America and are the national bird of the United States. Even though they look fierce, bald eagles spend much of their time fishing and caring for their families. Let's discover some incredible bald eagle facts!

5 Short Facts About the Bald Eagle

• Bald eagles can fly 35 to 45 miles per hour and dive even faster.
• They have some of the largest bird nests, measuring more than 8 feet wide and can weigh over 2,000 pounds.
• Bald eagles can soar for hours without flapping their wings by riding warm air currents called thermals.
• It takes a young bald eagle 4 to 5 years to grow its famous white head and tail feathers.
• Their feet have rough, spiky pads that help them grip slippery fish.
  

More About the Bald Eagle

Bald eagles are part of the raptor family. A raptor is a carnivorous bird that hunts and feeds on other animals. They are expert hunters and eat many types of food that include:

• Fish
• Ducks and other water birds
• Rabbits
• Squirrels
• Turtles
• Carrion (dead animals)

Here are a few other bald eagle facts:

• Wingspan: 6 to 8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters)
• Length: 28 to 40 inches (71–102 cm)
• Weight: 6.5 to 14 pounds (3–6.3 kg)
• Lifespan: 20 to 30 years in the wild

Where Do Bald Eagles Live?

Bald eagles live only in North America, near lakes, rivers, wetlands, reservoirs, and coastlines. They can be found across Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico. They like to live near water because fish are their favorite food. They build enormous nests in tall trees or sometimes on cliffs where they have a great view of the water.

Why Are They Called Bald Eagles?

The bald eagle isn't actually bald. The word "bald" comes from an Old English word that meant "white-headed." Adult bald eagles have snowy white feathers on their heads and tails that stand out against their dark brown bodies. Their white heads can be spotted easily high in the sky.

Young bald eagles are mostly brown and don't get their famous white head and tail until they are about 4 or 5 years old.

Life as a Baby Bald Eagle

Baby bald eagles are called chicks. Their parents stay together for life. Every year, the pair returns to the same nest and adds more sticks, making it larger and larger over time. The nests can become so large that they weigh over a ton!

The female eagle lays one to three eggs. After about 35 days, the chicks hatch covered in soft gray down feathers. Both parents help feed and protect them until they are ready to fly at around 10 to 12 weeks old.

Bald Eagles in Your Backyard

If you live near a lake, large river, or reservoir, you might not have to travel far to see a bald eagle. These impressive birds often fly over neighborhoods looking for fish, squirrels, rabbits, or even roadkill to eat. They also perch in tall trees along neighborhood trails, parks, and backyards near the water.

Seeing a bald eagle soaring overhead is a sign that your local ecosystem is healthy! Bald eagles help by keeping fish and small animals at a good level. They also clean up dead animals that other predators leave behind.

Who Are Their Neighbors?

Bald eagles share lakes, rivers, and neighborhoods with many other animals. You may also see ospreys diving for fish, great blue herons standing in the shallows, turtles, beavers, deer, squirrel, and rabbit. All of these animals are part of the same ecosystem, and each one helps keep nature in balance.

Nature Tip: The next time you're walking near a lake or river, don't forget to look up! Bald eagles often soar high overhead or sit quietly in the tallest trees, watching for their next meal.

Article Sources:

Mass Audubon

US Fish and Wildlife Service

National Geographic for Kids