Bald Eagle Flying

A Bald Eagle flying is a wonderful sight. Everything in these birds is adapted for flying. Their wings are very large and strong. The wingspan of a female reaches up to 96 inches; males have a wingspan of about 80 inches. Bald Eagles are surprisingly lightweight for their size. The average weight of a female Bald Eagle is 10-14 pounds; males weigh about 8-9 pounds. To attain the minimal weight, the bones of these birds are hollow and the beak and talons are made of keratin. The feathers of the Bald Eagle are strong and flexible. They provide protection from cold and wind and regulate the body temperature. The longest feathers are on the tips of the eagles’ wings. They increase the surface area, which is important for soaring. Tail feathers assist in stabilization.

The Bald Eagle flying pattern depends on the wind currents. These birds very rarely flap their wings. They catch a column of warm rising air and ride on it making large circles. Bald Eagles can soar at the altitude of 10,000 feet at the speed of 35 mph. A unique respiratory system of these birds is very efficient. Eagles have air sacs behind their lungs so that the air moves to the sacs through the lungs and then moves back. Consequently, Bald Eagles get twice more oxygen than humans do.

Since the eyesight of this species is very sharp, a Bald Eagle flying high can see the prey and dive down reaching the speed of 100 miles per hour. When fishing, Bald Eagles can swim under water following the fish. After swimming, these birds cannot fly till their feathers become dry.

Usually, a Bald Eagle flying high in the sky looks for the prey. Being opportunistic hunters, these birds feed on fish, small mammals, snakes and even carrion. Not all attacks of the Bald Eagle are successful. Only the strongest and cleverest eagles survive. Unskillful birds have to take advantage of carrion and poisoned wolves and coyotes. Bald Eagles are not strong enough to kill and carry large prey. A Bald Eagle flying with a calf or a human baby is no more than a myth.