Learned behaviors:
- Hunting techniques: Bald eagles learn how to hunt from their parents and other members of their social group. They observe and imitate the hunting strategies of experienced eagles and gradually develop their own hunting skills.
- Nest-building: Bald eagles construct large nests made of sticks and other materials. They learn the techniques of nest-building by watching their parents and other eagles.
- Social behavior: Bald eagles live in social groups and interact with each other in various ways. They learn how to communicate, cooperate, and compete with other eagles through social interactions.
Inherited behaviors:
- Migration: Bald eagles are long-distance migrants. They travel thousands of miles between their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada and their wintering grounds in the southern United States and Mexico. This migratory behavior is inherited and is triggered by changes in day length and temperature.
- Courtship displays: Bald eagles engage in elaborate courtship displays, which are essential for attracting mates and establishing pair bonds. These displays are genetically programmed and are similar across different populations of bald eagles.
- Vocalizations: Bald eagles produce a variety of vocalizations, including high-pitched whistles and loud, piercing screams. These vocalizations serve various purposes, such as communication, territorial defense, and mate attraction. The ability to produce these vocalizations is inherited.