10 Amazing Facts About Bald Eagles

Only two are found in North America, and one of those is the Bald Eagle. A year-round resident of Big Bear Lake, the bald eagle has long been a symbol of national strength and freedom. But there is more to this majestic bird of prey than meets the eye.

Here are ten facts about bald eagles that might surprise you:

They are one of the largest raptors in the world.

Bald eagles can weigh up to 15 pounds and are between 28-38 inches long. Their wingspan can reach up to 7.5 ft. (For comparison, an osprey's wingspan reaches up to 6 ft. and a red-tailed hawk's up to 4.8 ft.). This large wingspan is ideal for soaring, allowing bald eagles to stay aloft for longer periods of time without flapping their wings.

They can reach altitudes of over 10,000 feet.

Their impressive wingspan is more than just decorative: it allows them to fly to dizzying heights! Bald eagles soar 10,000 feet or more, using thermal air currents to help them glide. This allows them to conserve energy for more important activities, such as searching for prey and migrating long distances.

Their eyesight is 8 times stronger than ours.

We call a person "eagle-eyed" if they have 20/20 vision, but bald eagles have much sharper eyesight than that! In fact, they typically have 20/40 or 20/50 vision, which makes them expert hunters. Not only can they see a small animal two miles away with amazing clarity, but they have a 340-degree field of view - with even better peripheral vision than owls!

They Aren’t Actually Bald

Since bald eagles have a white head of feathers, where does the term "bald" come from? It turns out that it is a translation of the Old English word "piebald," which means "white" or "white-headed. And the bald eagle doesn't acquire this crowning glory until it's 4 or 5 years old-with about four stages of feather shedding before that.

Its grip strength is a crushing 400 psi.

Bald eagles are said to have a grip 10 times stronger than a human's. This comes in handy when they use their talons to pluck fish (their favorite meal) from a lake and hold it while gliding through the air. It also allows them to snatch another bird's prey from the air (after tricking the bird into dropping its meal - talk about cunning!).

Their courtship acrobatics rival Cirque du Soleil.

Known for their dramatic "sky dances," male bald eagles court females with a series of impressive feats. From high-speed chases to tumbling together, talons locked, from great heights to the ground, it's quite a sight. Less active courtship behaviors include sitting shoulder to shoulder, grooming, and even nest building. And not only new couples engage in these activities - some mated pairs perform these rituals to strengthen their bond.

They Mate for Life

When it comes to commitment, Bald Eagle couples are in it for the long haul. They typically mate for life, which means they can be monogamous for 30 years. The mated pair will breed year after year, producing about 1-3 eggs each time. These eggs are incubated for about 35 days, during which time the male and female of the pair share the task of keeping the eggs warm.

They Make the Biggest Bird Nests

Bald eagle nests, called aeries, are the largest recorded bird nests. Typically found at the top of tall trees, anywhere from 60 to 200 feet high, they can reach a size of 4-6 feet. Made of twigs, sticks, grass, and other natural debris, a bald eagle nest is approximately 2-4 feet deep and provides a cozy home for the eagles and their offspring. No wonder they invest in their nests: Bald Eagles typically use the same nest year after year for decades!

Eaglets Fledge from the Nest…But Not Far

A baby bald eagle - or eagle - typically flies out of the nest when it is 10-14 weeks old. But because they're still dependent on their parents for food, they don't go far. Fledged eaglets usually stay near the nest for about a month, taking short flights that keep them close to home. During this time, they must learn to hunt for themselves.

Their Biggest Threat? Us.

As apex predators, bald eagles aren't in much danger. Yes, they are prey for larger animals like bears and wolves, but their biggest threat comes from us humans. Pesticide-laden crops have affected the eagle population in many ways. From the days of DDT-laden crops in the 1940s to the early 1970s, bald eagles disappeared from some states. Fortunately, with the banning of DDT in the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the bald eagle population rebounded and is no longer listed as "threatened.