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American Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus  This bald eagle was rehabbed in the Park and was released back into his home area just moments after this photo was taken. Average Length:
| 30 – 31 inches
| Average Wing Span:
| 6 to 7 ½ feet | | Average Weight: | Male: 8 to 9 lbs | | | Female: 10 to 14 lbs | | | | | Sexual Maturity: | 5 years (both sexes) | Breeding Season:
| March to May | Incubation Period:
| Approximately 35 days
| Brood Size:
| 2 - 3 | | | | | Diet: | Wild: Fish, waterfowl, muskrats, rodents, carrion | | | Captive: Fish, rodents, waterfowl | | | | | Life Span: | Wild: 30 years | | | Captive: 25 to 45 years | | | | Status in Illinois:
| In 2007, the bald eagle was delisted from the Threatened Species list. It is, however, still protected federally under the Bald Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacey Act. Info on the Acts. |
Have you ever wondered why the Bald Eagle is called the American Bald Eagle. Many people think that it is because it is our national symbol, however, the truth is that this bird is endemic to America. That means that this continent is the only one that has the Bald Eagle! Hence, the American Bald Eagle.
Its common name comes from the all white head of the adult bird, which reminded settlers of the white wigs or “baldes” worn by British men at that time. It was designated as our national bird in 1782, instead of the Wild Turkey proposed by Benjamin Franklin.
Their pure white heads and white tail feathers easily distinguish the adults from all other birds. The remainder of the body is covered in dark brown, nearly black feathers. Both males and females exhibit the same color pattern. Immature bald eagles are dark brown with small white patches on the body and under the wings. This coloration gradually changes to the full dark body with white head and tail feathers as the bird becomes sexually mature. The beak, feet and eyes also change color as they reach maturity. The beak turns from brown to bright yellow, the feet change from lemon-yellow to bright yellow, and the eyes change to bright yellow as well.
Bald eagles in Illinois are seen primarily near large rivers and reservoirs. Some birds spend the winter at waterfowl refuges in Southern Illinois. Wintering eagles use large trees on the riverbanks for daytime perches and generally prefer sheltered valleys and ravines as night roosts. Eagles will roost communally during winter months, in contrast with their more territorial behavior during breeding season.
Nests are built of sticks, mosses, grasses, and feathers in large trees near a major body of water. The nest is often re-used and enlarged year after year by the same pair of birds. Average bald eagle nests measure 6-8 ft across and 4-6 ft deep. The largest eagle nest ever recorded was 20 feet across, 20 feet tall, and weighed 2 tons. Smaller birds often use the lower layers of these large nests for secluded nesting areas of their own. Bald eagles are agile flyers that are often seen executing rolls or loops while in flight. Some of the more spectacular aerial maneuvers take place when a fight over a fish takes place mid-air. An attempt to steal another eagle’s food is called “pirating”. Bald eagles may fly an average speed of 20 to 60 mph, and reach more than 100 mph during a dive.
Eagle Populations
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