Bald Eagle FAQ

  • Do bald eagle pairs mate for life?

    Yes, eagle pairs mate for life unless one of the pair dies then they may mate with a new individual.


  • How big are bald eagle feet?

    Bald eagle feet are about 7 inches in length, about the same size as a human hand.


  • How big are bald eagle nests?

    Bald eagles build the largest nest of any bird species. The largest nest was found in Florida and was 9 feet wide, 20 feet deep, and was estimated to weigh about 4,400 pounds. 


  • How big is a bald eagle’s wingspan?

    Up to 8 feet.


  • How does human activity affect nesting bald eagles?

    Human activities can cause prolonged absences of breeding adult bald eagles from their nests, which can jeopardize both eggs and nestlings. Disturbance may also lead bald eagles to fledge before they are ready. This can leave them trapped on the ground and vulnerable to predators until they are strong enough to fly.


  • How fast can bald eagles fly?

    Bald eagles can fly up to 30 mph and can reach 100 mph when diving.


  • How good is a bald eagle’s eyesight?

    Bald eagles can see four times better than humans. Humans see about 20/20 and eagles see about 20/5.


  • How long do bald eagles live?

    In the wild eagles can live up to 30 years and in captivity up to 50 years.


  • How long do bald eagles use nests?

    Bald eagle nests are generally used from 5-20 years. One nest in Ohio was used for 34 consecutive years.


  • How many feathers do bald eagles have?

    Bald eagles have about 7,000 feathers, they weigh about twice as much as their skeleton.


  • How much do bald eagles weigh?

    Females are larger than males. In Oregon female eagles weigh up to 14 pounds and males are around 10 pounds.


  • Is a Bald Eagle really bald?

    No. Bald Eagles have about 2,000 feathers that cover their heads. Their name comes from the old English word “balde”, which originally meant white.

    * Information sourced from the National Eagle Center.


  • What happens when a bald eagle ends up in the water?

    Bald eagles can float in water and can “paddle” to shore using their wings. They will pull prey to the shore using this method when the prey is too heavy to fly with.


  • When was the bald eagle designated as the national bird?

    1782


  • Where do bald eagles occur?

    Bald eagles are the only eagle that occurs only in North America. The species is found in Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.