Bald Eagles Bald Eagles By Sam Lao Allen Kuo Steven Qi Sabrina Woo

Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitradae Genus & Species: Haliaeetus Leucocephalus

Physical Characteristics Are about 29 to 42 inches long Weigh 7 to 15 pounds Have a wing span of 6 to 8 feet Females larger than males One of the largest birds in North America

Behavioral Characteristics Seldom dive vertically on prey; prefer to descend gradually and snatch food with feet Migrate to warmer areas to obtain food during winter Use same nests every year

Food Source Feed primarily on fish, but also eat small animals Occasionally eat carrion, which are dead animals Carry off food in flight, but can only lift about half their weight.

Habitat Live near large bodies of water such as lakes, marshes, seacoasts, and rivers Live in places where there is plenty of fish to eat and tall trees for nesting and roosting

Adaptations Have excellent hearing and a sharply pointed beak to rip into food Bristles at the edge of beak protect eyes and inner eyelid protects & keeps the eyes moist Tail helps balance head in flight Has talons that help hang on to fish or other food Stomachs produce extremely strong acids to digest food Wings help eagles ride on thermals

Interesting Facts Diving speed estimated at 75 to 100 mph Build large nests, called eyries, that can reach over 10 feet wide and can weigh several tons Ben Franklin wanted the national bird to be a wild turkey instead of the American eagle.

Citations EAGLES/EAGLE_FACTS.htmhttp://webhost.bridgew.edu/jhayesboh/TRIPS/ EAGLES/EAGLE_FACTS.htm xhttp:// x tionEagle.htmlhttp:// tionEagle.html