Bald Eagle
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Alaska is the arrival of 3,000 to 4,000 eagles from around the area to Haines. The eagles fly
here to feed on the late Chum Salmon run between October and November. Bald eagles mainly live in high trees along the coast next to streams, beaches and tidal flats where food is plentiful.
Eagles have an average wingspan of 8 feet. They weigh 10 to 12 pounds thus making the eagle Alaska's largest bird. Eagles are fairly easy to spot as mature adults with their white head and full lower body. Mature eagles often stay close by their nest while leaving mostly to find food. A young immature eagle is harder to see with its spotted brown and white body which they keep up until 5 years of age.
Eagles are very interesting animals and exciting to watch. As a pre-mating ritual, eagles dive through the air locking their talons while rolling and somersaulting. Eagles often use actual hunting as a last resort. They would rather not work for their food.
They often use their size and sharp talons to steal food from
other animals. If they can't steal, eagles will scavenge for dead or dying fish. Eagles often
follow whales as the whales often injure many fish while feeding. This makes for an easy meal
for the swift and sharp-eyed eagle. Once hunted, our National Bird - the bald eagle - is now protected. It is illegal to kill or possess any part of an eagle, including the feathers.
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Video Clip by: Alaska Video Postcards
Text by: A Child's Alaska
The Alaska Almanac 19th Edition
Photo by: AK Division of Tourism
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