Put your knowledge to the test! Do you know these cool facts about bald eagles?
1. Bald Eagles were only made official US symbols in 2024
They were declared a U.S. symbol in 1782 due to their striking appearance. But they were never formalized as the national symbol in proper channels. Joe Biden did so in December of 2024
Benjamin Franklin actually rebuked the bald eagle as a symbol of the United States because of its bad moral character of stealing and cowardly nature.
2. They mate for life
Male and female bald eagles mate for life. They practice life long monogamy whereas some birds are only monogamous during a single breeding season like penguins.
A rare bald eagle trio of 2 dads and 1 mom were spotted raising eaglets together in Mississippi River in Fulton, Illinois! They’re the first bald eagle throuple recorded in history!
3. Bald Eagles are bullies
Like Ben Franklin lamented, bald eagles steal other bird’s food. They’re like a lunch room bully and hound other birds for their catch until they give in.
Bald eagles have been witnessed a number of times harassing Ospreys for their catch until they relent.
4. They aren’t bald
Bald eagles aren’t at all bald. The white feathers on their head just give them the appearance of being bald and a clever name to match.
- Related: 5 Best Winter Bird Houses
5. Eaglets look like ugly ducklings
Bald eagle fledglings are a stark pale gray in comparison to their parents. Juvenile bald eagles grow to have dark brown heads for their first year and a half.
Their heads don’t turn white until about 4 and half years old. Check out the bald eagle baby cam!
6. Bald Eagle nests are massive!
They build the largest bird nests in the animal kingdom. Bald eagle nest size is an average of 5 feet wide and 2 feet tall.
The largest known bald eagle nest was shaped like a wine glass and weighed 2 metric tons! The nest was in St. Petersburg, FL, in 1963, and was a whopping 9.5 feet wide and 20 feet deep.
Talk about luxury housing.
7. Bald Eagle calls aren’t what you think
Bald eagle calls in movies and media in the United States are usually recordings of Red Tailed Hawks.
But bald eagles are actually have less striking calls.
8. They’re apex predators
Adult bald eagles have no naturally known predators…with the exception of poorly placed wind turbines.
Eaglets are vulnerable to predators just like all fledglings. Horned owls, ravens, bears, and bobcats often eat bald eagle eggs and occasionally eaglets.
Once adults, bald eagle predators are non-existent allowing them to live as long as 25 years.
9. Bald Eagles hunt together
Many birds of prey hunt alone. In fact, many raptors can be nomadic and solitary.
Some male and female bald eagle couples hunt together for efficiency.
10. Male and Female bald eagles are identical
Many adult birds have sexual dimorphism. This means males and females of the same species look quite different.
It’s common for male birds to look prettier and more colorful than female birds to attract mates.
Bald eagle males and females look the same, lacking obvious sexual dimorphism traits. Female bald eagles are usually a big bigger, though.
Have you seen a bald eagle?
Share them on the Sparkbird App! Available in the Apple App Store.
- Related: How to Use the Sparkbird App
