![]() ![]() T hey have even been known to snatch a bear cub for dinner. But these raptors have been known to hunt and kill animals as large as small deer, seals, mountain goats, coyotes, and badgers! Their favorite prey includes rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, marmots, and prairie dogs. Where Bald Eagles mostly eat fish, these eagles almost always eat mammals. Golden Eagles are incredibly fast and agile, which makes them expert hunters. This adaptation is helpful because it allows them to see past the reflections on the water’s surface and find fish that would otherwise be invisible in the glare. More importantly, these eagles can see into the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. Their vision is about eight times better than humans. With unmatched eyesight, it is not at all surprising that Bald Eagles hunt from as high as 10,000 feet (3 km) in the air. In fact, movie directors are so unimpressed with the sounds a Bald Eagle makes, it’s common for them to use the call of a Red-tailed Hawk instead for dramatic effect! I think they sound more like a gull, with trills and little whistles. If you imagine an intimidating eagle call, then you would be wrong. The Bald Eagle probably doesn’t sound like what you think. The biggest one EVER found was 10 feet wide (3 meters) and 20 feet tall (6 meters) and weighed in at 3 tons! Bald Eagles would keep adding to their nests each year, but what happens is that the structures get so heavy they eventually fall out of the tree, and the birds have to start over. Their nests start “small,” but eagles add new layers each year. The BEST areas are forests near large bodies of water that provide good fishing AND tall trees for nesting sites.ĭid you know that Bald Eagles build the largest nests in the world? The reason that Bald Eagles are found around water is that they mostly eat fish! Look for them around marshes, lakes, coasts, and rivers. They are most commonly seen around bodies of water. Even their beak changes color! It takes A LOT of practice and experience to identify young Bald Eagles properly!Īfter almost going extinct in the mid 20th century due to DDT poisoning, these raptors are a true success story. Until then, these birds have all sorts of different plumages and streaky browns and whites on their bodies. These eagles don’t get their characteristic white head and dark brown body until they are FIVE YEARS OLD. While almost everyone knows what a full-grown Bald Eagle looks like, trying to correctly identify juvenile birds is tricky. RELATED: 18 Bald Eagle Facts That Will Make You Soar With Joy!. ![]() Their name actually stems from an Old English word “piebald,” which means “white patch” and refers to their bright white heads. The Bald Eagle is one of the most recognizable birds in the world!īut did you know that the “Bald” portion of their name has nothing to do with not having feathers on their head? As you can clearly see, these eagles have white feathers covering their entire face with no bald spots anywhere. *RELATED: Watch the LIVE bird feeder and animal cameras in MY backyard!*.Make sure to pay attention to the range maps to see which eagles live near you! For each species, I have included a few photographs, along with their most common sounds, to help you identify any birds you are lucky enough to observe. In fact, there are only a few species that can be observed on the entire continent.īelow are the TWO eagles that live in Virginia! Unlike other raptors, there are not many eagle species that reside in Virginia. These majestic birds symbolize many things, such as freedom, courage, honesty, inspiration, victory, and pride. I’m always amazed at their beauty, large size, and astonishing ability to soar at extreme heights! And I’m not alone, as eagles have a special place in many people’s hearts and minds. Whenever they appear, I make sure to stop and watch these incredible birds of prey. What types of eagles can you find in Virginia? ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |