Bald eagles are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, and they typically hunt in the morning and evening. They are opportunistic predators, and their diet consists primarily of fish, but they will also eat small mammals, birds, and carrion. Bald eagles are powerful flyers, and they can reach speeds of up to 35 mph. They hunt by soaring above the water, searching for prey, and then they swoop down and grab it with their talons.
Social Behavior
Bald eagles are territorial, and they will defend their territory from other bald eagles and other predators. They are also social animals, and they often live in pairs or in small groups. Bald eagles are monogamous, and they mate for life. They build large nests in tall trees, and the female eagle lays one to three eggs each year. The eggs are incubated for about 35 days, and the chicks fledge from the nest after about 60 days.
Communication
Bald eagles communicate with each other through a variety of vocalizations, including chirps, whistles, and screams. They also use body language to communicate, such as spreading their wings or raising their crest.
Threats
Bald eagles were once endangered, but their numbers have rebounded in recent years. However, they still face a number of threats, including:
* Habitat loss: Bald eagles need large trees for nesting and roosting, and they can be displaced by logging and other development.
* Pollution: Bald eagles can be poisoned by pesticides and other chemicals.
* Hunting and shooting: Bald eagles are sometimes hunted for their meat or feathers, and they can be accidentally shot by hunters who mistake them for other birds.
Conservation
Bald eagles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, and there are a number of conservation organizations that are working to protect their habitat and recover their populations.