Bald Eagle Facts and Information

Bald Eagle Facts and Information

The bald eagle is a large bird of prey native to North America and the national bird of the United States. Adults have a dark brown body, a white head and tail, and a powerful yellow beak. Young bald eagles have mostly dark plumage and gradually develop their adult colours over several years.

Bald eagles usually live near lakes, rivers and coastal areas where fish are plentiful. They eat fish, waterbirds and small mammals, and sometimes scavenge food from other animals. Their strong talons help them catch and carry prey.

These birds build large nests, often high in trees near water. Pairs may return to the same nesting territory over many years. Although bald eagles faced serious declines due to pesticides and habitat loss, conservation measures helped their populations recover. They remain an important example of successful wildlife conservation.