Did you know this majestic bird can be found in every state except Hawaii? So, unless you live in Hawaii, you have an American Bald Eagle sighting near you! Seeing one of these amazing birds in flight is unforgettable and something I recommend trying to see for anyone, let alone a bird watcher.
Bald Eagles like to live along coasts of the ocean, lakes and rivers because their favorite food is fish. They prefer to live higher than ground level, so look in cliffs or trees along these waterways.
The Bald Eagle got the name Bald Eagle because the word “bald” used to mean “white,” not without hair. So the distinct white feathers on the Bald Eagle’s head are a quick give away as to what you are actually seeing.
The best I can describe the motion of the Bald Eagle when it flies, is that it actually soars through the air. And when it stands in a tree, this bird is straight and tall. Recognizing the American Bald Eagle is not difficult if you are in the right place to look and know the Bald Eagle’s characteristics.
Even though the Bald Eagle may be found in every state, nearly half of the world’s Bald Eagle population can be found in Alaska. Alaska has nearly 70,000 Bald Eagles in residence. They love the salmon and the cool air. These are Northern Bald Eagles. There are two different species of Bald Eagles. Northern and Southern. Northern Bald Eagles live from about the middle of the United States to the North and the Southern Bald Eagles live to the South of the middle of this country, in states such as Florida, Texas, South Carolina, New Mexico, and Southern California.
Their conical beaks allow the Bald Eagle to be birds of prey and they are able to lift up to 4 pounds with their talons. The Bald Eagle has eyesight equal to four times the amount of a human eye, so they are sharp sighted during the day.
The Bald Eagle is able to fly as high as 10,000 feet above sea level. The wingspan is part of what makes a Bald Eagle look so incredible during flight. Female wing spans range from 79 to 90 inches across, and male wingspan will range from 72 to 85 inches from tip to tip. When these birds “soar” through the air it is for an actual reason.
To help Eagles soar, they use thermals or air currents. These rising warm air currents create drafts underneath their outstretched wings. They then use very little wing flapping and save energy when they glide in canyons or from mountains and tall trees.
I was driving on a highway near my home one evening. About the time I neared the point where I crossed the Kansas River, about fifty feet in front of my windshield, an American Bald Eagle soared across the highway and down toward the Kaw, (Kansas River). What an amazing sight and what a surprise! Thank goodness, there was not much traffic and I could watch the Eagle and drive also. How great it is to know these amazing birds are near to all of us and may even make a surprise appearance when least expected.
