Common Name- Bald Eagle
1. Scientific Name- Haliaeetus leucocephalus
2. Species Description-
➢ Body length ranges from 71 to 96 cm (28–38 in). Adult females have a wingspan of up to 2.44 m (88 in), while adult males may be as small as 1.68 m (66 in).
➢ The plumage of an adult Bald Eagle is evenly brown with a white head and tail.
➢ The tail is moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped.
➢ Males and females are identical in plumage coloration, however females display reverse sexual dimorphism and are 25 percent larger than males.
➢ The beak, feet, and irises are bright yellow.
➢ The legs are unfeathered, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons.
➢ The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it is held immobile by the front toes.
➢ The beak is large and hooked, with a yellow cere.
3. Habitat Description- The Bald Eagle prefers habitats near seacoasts, rivers, large lakes, and other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish. Studies have shown a preference for bodies of water with a circumference greater than 11 km (7 miles), and lakes with an area greater than 10 km² (3.8 square miles) are optimal for breeding bald eagles.The Bald Eagle requires old-growth and mature stands of coniferous or hardwood trees for perching, roosting, and nesting. Selected trees must have good visibility, an open structure, and proximity to prey, but the height or species of tree is not as important as an abundance of comparatively large trees surrounding the body of water. Forests used for nesting should have a canopy cover of less than 60 percent, and as low as 20 percent, and be in close proximity to water.
4. Range/Location of the Species- The Bald Eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most of Canada, all of the continental United States, and northern Mexico. It is the only Sea Eagle native to only North America. The bird itself is...