Bald eagles aren't bald, and other facts about America's national bird

Despite the bald eagle's prominence as a symbol of American culture, many people know very little about these birds.

Here are a handful of interesting facts worth noting:

● There are about 60 species of eagles. Most are found in Asia and Africa.

● We have had an active bald eagle nest on Presque Isle State Park for four years. It is in a safe, protected location.

● Bald eagles — like many predatory birds — mate for life. Once they have found a mate, the female tends the nest while the male hunts and provides for the chicks.

● Bald eagles live significantly longer than most other birds, especially birds of their size. Most wild eagles will live for more than two decades. Some can live beyond 30 years.

● A bald eagle's nest is massive. They are usually between 2 feet and 4 feet deep and about 4 feet to 5 feet wide. Even more impressive? The nests weigh hundreds of pounds after a few years in the same place. Here in Erie County, they nest on large trees.

● Female bald eagles are larger than males, usually as much as 30% and even more in many cases.

● Bald eagles do not actually swim, so when they catch a fish too large to lug out of the water they paddle their kills to shore.

● What is the most interesting fact about bald eagles? They are not bald. In fact, young eagles have full-feathered heads that are brown. It is not until they reach maturity — at 5 years of age — that the feathers turn white, giving them the "bald" appearance.

● The bald eagle is thought to reside only on this continent and therefore makes it fit to be the symbol of the United States.

● Bald eagles are "masters of the sky" and live up to that saying. They have been known to steal fish from hawks and osprey.

● A bald eagle can lift prey weighing 4 pounds or more.

● Bald eagles sleep perched on a branch. They only visit the nest when raising their young. They have a unique feature within their foot that can lock them onto a branch.

● An eagle lives many years, but their plumage tells their age only through the first five years.

● Most eagles' eyesight is up to eight times stronger than humans. Their vision allows them to spot a rabbit up to 3¾ miles away.

● Bald eagles' beaks are strong and hooked, and they use them to tear through the flesh of their prey.

● There are several bald eagles in Erie County. However, there is no way to tell precisely how many.

● When prey is within an eagle's sight, the prey usually does not have a good chance of escaping.

● A bald eagle can have a wingspan of 8 feet across.

● Two-year-old bald eagles have up to almost half-white on their wings

● Most bald eagles weigh between 8½ pounds to 10 pounds.

● Southern bald eagles are about 10% smaller than their northern cousins.

● Bald eagle calls are usually weak, flat, chirping whistles.

● The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782.

● Did you know that it is still a federal law that you cannot pick up a bald eagle feather without a permit?

Bald eagles are beautiful, strong, highly thought of birds and are a perfect symbol for our county.

See you at the park!

Gene Ware is the author of 10 books. He serves on the board of the Presque Isle Light Station and is past chairman of the boards of the Tom Ridge Center Foundation and the Presque Isle Partnership. Email him at ware906@gmail.com.

Gene Ware
Gene Ware

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Bald eagle facts from Erie PA and beyond