Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Biological Overview

Habitat
Live near rivers, lakes, and forests in Alaska, Canada, and North America.

Diet
They eat fish, garbage, roadkill, rabbits, mice, and squirrels.

Role in Ecosystem
Apex/top predator, vital scavengers, and nest providers.

Behavior
Flys; walks and cruising low over water. It goes out all day and all night.

Human Impact

Insecticide DDT made the bald eagles’ eggs soft, and when the bald eagles incubated, the eggs broke, which made the population decrease in the 1960’s. While populations have recovered, human activities, including hunting, development, and energy production, still cause significant injury, mortality, and reproductive failure. Eagles are frequently hit by vehicles when scavenging roadkill, and they face electrocution from power lines. Low-flying aircraft, recreational boating, and construction can disturb nesting adults, leading to suffering in young eagles. The bald eagle is a protected species and our country’s national bird.

Creative Exploration

I fly high in the sky when I go by,
I swoop down to get some food,
Even if I’m not in the mood,
I have a white tail and I am 3 feet tall,
I have a loud chirp for my call,
My wingspan is 6 to 7 feet tall,
and I am the biggest out of them all.

Liem Ellis, Axel Reyes

Book 7