Bald Eagle

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a large bird of prey native to North America with a wingspan ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet and a body weight of 6 to 14 pounds. It has a distinctive white head and tail, dark brown body, and a large, hooked yellow beak, adapted for tearing flesh. Bald eagles have excellent vision, with eyes that contain a high density of photoreceptors, allowing them to spot prey from great distances. They primarily feed on fish, using their sharp talons to snatch them from the water, but they also scavenge carrion and hunt small mammals and birds. Their strong, curved beak is specialized for ripping apart prey. These birds nest in large trees near bodies of water, constructing massive stick nests that can be used for multiple years. They have powerful flight muscles and broad wings allowing them to soar for long periods and conserve energy while scanning for food; their wings can also be used to swim in water. Once endangered due to habitat destruction and pesticide use, bald eagle populations have recovered due to conservation efforts.

Fun fact: Bald eagles perform a “death spiral” during their mating rituals to determine whether the other bald eagle is a suitable partner.