Bald eagle

Big, hawk-like, dark brown bird and white head, tail. The bill, legs, feet, eyes are yellow. Look for for fish, which it sometimes takes from ospreys. Eats carrion and crippled or wounded squirrels, rabbits, muskrats and waterfowl. Flap-and-glide flight also flies on thermals.

In earlier times it is distributed across most of North America; at present limited to breeding in Alaska, Canada, northern Great Lakes states, Gulf coast states, and the Pacific Northwest. Move south from northern breeding grounds throughout winters. Favorite environment includes open water areas that support large numbers of waterfowl or fish.

Interesting Facts

The Bald Eagle was the emblem of the United States of America in 1782. At one time, the word “bald” (balde) meant white, not hairless, referring to the white head and upper neck of the adult Bald Eagle.