Description
Adult Bald Eagles have distinctive white heads and tail, while the body and wings are dark brown. The beak, eyes, and legs are yellow or golden, while the talons are black. Adult birds can
reach a length of 2.5 feet with a wingspan approaching 7 feet. . Female eagles are usually larger than their male counterparts weigh 10 to 14 pounds compared to 8 to 9 pounds for males. Juvenile bald eagles have brown or mottled brown and white plumage making them easily confused with golden eagles. Though they are distinguishable by their bare lower legs. They also have darker beaks and eyes than adults.
At four to five years old eagles choose a mate, and the pair will often stay together for several years, perhaps for life. Nest preparation commences in the early spring, and nests are built of sticks and twigs with an interior lining of moss or grass. Broods usually consist of two to three eggs, and both the male and female eagle incubate the eggs for a period of 21 to 46 days.The nestlings are quite helpless, relying on both parents for food and protection for most of the 10 to 13 weeks that they are in the nest. Eagles begin their southward migration as the ice begins to appear in the fall. They will choose locations with open water and ample food for their winter home and it is not uncommon to see many eagles wintering at the same location. At the first sign of moderating weather, the birds begin their northern migration, usually returning to the previous year's nest with they will repair and improve by adding sticks and vegetation. Because they are always being refurbished, eagle nests can become very large.
Bald eagles feed primarily on fish, although small mammals, birds, and carrion can make up a substantial part of their diet when necessary. Eagles are opportunistic feeders and will often follow other carrion eating birds to carcasses or injured prey.
Habitat
Bald eagles usually nest in large trees near large streams or lakes. Its migration routes follow river systems or mountain ranges which run in a general north-south direction. The bald eagle often winters along large interior or coastal bodies of water that remain free of ice. Except during migration, bald eagles are seldom found far from water
Currently, the bald eagle is known to nest at eleven sites in the Mountain State. The nest sites are located in a Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton and Mineral counties. A nest was located in Wood County in 2001, but was abandoned before producing young. There are records of non-breeding eagles from most areas of the state.
Threats
Current threats to Bald Eagles include the development of industrial wind farms along the ridges of the Allegheny Highlands. These north to south running ridges provide a major migratory pathway and are located near ideal habitats for these birds.
Habitat loss still threatens eagles in many areas, and pollution of our rivers and lakes can impact eagles which feed on contaminated fish. The inadvertent shooting of misidentified eagles as well as poaching continues to plague eagle populations. The future of the bald eagle in the continental United States will depend on the extent to which current problems can be reduced. The Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species list in 2007 and is currently protected by The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
For more information about Bald Eagles, please visit www.baldeagleinfo.com or the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
