Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetusleucocephalus)
Photographed at Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL Mar 2011
Male bald eagles
generally measure 3 feet from head to tail, weigh 7 to 10 pounds, and have a
wingspan of about 6 1/2 feet. Females are larger, some reaching 14 pounds and
having a wingspan of up to 8 feet.
This striking
raptor has large, pale eyes; a powerful yellow beak; and great, black talons.
The distinctive white head and tail feathers appear only after the bird is 4 to
5 years old. Bald eagles are believed to live 30 years or longer in the wild,
and even longer in captivity.
They mate for life
and build huge nests in the tops of large trees near rivers, lakes, marshes, or
other wetland areas. Nests are often reused year after year.
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