Bald Eagle Flash Cards
(28 cards)
When was the Bald Eagle chosen as the national bird of the United States?
1782
Chosen in 1782 due to its majestic appearance and long life.
What is the average wingspan of a bald eagle?
4-6 feet
They can have a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8 feet).
Where do some bald eagles migrate during winter?
From Canada to the southern United States
Their range extends over three million square miles.
What type of habitat do bald eagles prefer?
Near large bodies of open water with abundant food supplies and old-growth trees
Examples include marshes, lakes, and coastal plains.
What is the primary diet of bald eagles?
Fish
They also eat birds, small mammals, and carrion.
What unique nesting behavior do bald eagles exhibit?
They build some of the largest nests of any bird species and often reuse the same nest
They hold the record for the largest nest in North America.
At what age do juvenile bald eagles develop their distinctive white head and tail?
4-5 years old
Until then, they have brown plumage.
What is the lifespan of bald eagles in the wild?
20-30 years
They can live up to 50 years in captivity.
When were bald eagles removed from the Endangered Species list?
2007
Their populations rebounded after being endangered due to habitat loss and pesticide use.
What is the weight range of adult bald eagles?
8-14 lbs (3.6 to 6.3 kilograms)
Female bald eagles are generally larger than males.
What are the key identification features of bald eagles?
Bright yellow eyes, a hooked beak, and yellow talons
Their beak is razor-sharp and made of keratin.
What do the physical characteristics of adult bald eagles look like?
Dark brown body, white head, and tail
Juveniles are spotted brown and white.
How do bald eagles conserve energy while flying?
By soaring using thermals
They use rising columns of warm air to soar.
Fill in the blank: Bald eagles are _______ and are in the same family as vultures.
carnivores
They have significant differences in wingspan.
What is the typical height range of bald eagles?
2-3 feet tall
The tallest recorded bald eagle stood at 40 inches (102 centimeters or 3.3 feet)
Eagle conception can take around 11-24 hours. How long till the eggs are laid in the nest?
In 48-50 hours the eggs are laid in the nest
- The male and female take turns warming the eggs and eaglets until fully fledged which tends to take how long?
2.5 to 3.5 months.
A crucial period to build strength.*
How many eggs do eagles tend to lay a year?
3 with two being the most common.
How often can eagles lay eggs?
Once a year.
Not all eaglets survive; sibling competition and food availability play a role. Often this happens:
One survives out of 2 or three. The strongest eaglet outcompetes the others for food. (Siblicide)
Eaglets are fed at what temperature?
Eaglets are typically fed food at the ambient temperature of the environment. The parents capture fresh prey and bring it back to the nest, cut it into little pieces and feed their young.
Bald eaglets start to develop wing feathers that are large enough for flight after how long?
one and a half months after hatching.
They typically fledge (leave the nest) when they are about 10-14 weeks old. They are fully fledged at 2.5-3.5 months; they continue to depend on their parents for food and guidance for several more weeks.
Aerial Sky Dance , during courtship, is what? Where they are also seen doing this…
bald eagles perform a spectacular aerial display known as the “sky dance.” This involves the male and female locking talons and spiraling downward together sometimes at speeds of 100mph then let go before hitting the ground.
The “cartwheel”
In Native American culture the eagle is a symbol of what?
the bald eagle is revered as a symbol of strength, eagles are also said to carry prayers and guidance to and from the Great Spirit.
