Bald Eagle Flashcards
How old are bald eagles when they get their characteristic white head?
5 years. (Also when they become mature)
What is the wingspan of the bald eagle?
6 to 8 feet.
How much does a male bald eagle weigh?
7 to 10 pounds
How much does a female bald eagle weigh?
10 to 14 pounds
Do bald eagles mate for life?
Yes.
What happens if a bald eagle’s mate dies?
A re-pairing occurs quickly.
True or false? Bald eagles use the same nest for many years.
True.
How wide are bald eagle nests?
7 feet.
How deep are bald eagle nests?
12 feet
How much do bald eagle nests weigh?
1 ton.
True or false? Bald eagles only build their nests in the tallest trees.
False. They can build them on rocks or the ground too.
How long is the incubation period of the bald eagle?
1 month.
Do male bald eagles participate in incubating the young?
Yes.
How many hatchlings do bald eagles have?
2
Do both bald eagle chicks usually survive?
No. Usually the larger chick will outcompete the smaller one.
How many months does it take bald eagles to fledge?
Two.
What is the range and habitat of the bald eagle?
It live in deciduous forest areas near water throughout North America.
How long do bald eagles live?
17 years
What is the name of the river/reserve where thousands of bald eagles gather each fall to feed on Salmon?
Chilkat.
What do bald eagles eat?
Fish, small mammals, and carrion.
Are bald eagles territorial?
Yes.
Do bald eagles sometimes hunt in pairs?
Yes.
True or false? Bald eagles engage in kleptoparasitism.
True.
How long are the talons of the bald eagle?
2 inches
Why are the legs of the bald eagle bare?
To keep them from getting their feathers wet.
How does the bald eagle conserve energy?
It has a flexible diet and flaps its wings only very rarely.
What is the conservation status of the bald eagle?
Least concern.
What act was passed in 1940 that helped to bring back bald eagles?
The bald eagle protection act.
what did the bald eagle protection act do?
It made it illegal to harm or harass bald eagles, their eggs, and their nests.
Why did the numbers of bald eagles continue to decline even after the bald eagle protection act was passed?
Because of DDT, decreasing prey populations, and loss of habitat.
When was the bald eagle listed as endangered?
1967.
What three things helped the bald eagle to come back?
The banning of DDT, legal protection, and awareness campaigns.
When was the bald eagle removed from the list of endangered species?
2007
What did many Native Americans believe bald eagles were?
The emissaries to the creators.
What state has the largest bald eagles?
Alaska.
What does the call of the bald eagle sound like?
Short series of sharp whistles.
How many subspecies of bald eagle are there?
Two.
Where is the farthest west bald eagles have traveled?
Ireland.
How fast can a bald eagle fly?
45 mph
How fast can a bald eagle travel with a fish?
30 mph
What will cause bald eagles to migrate?
If the water in their habitat freezes completely in the winter.
Why can’t bald eagles fly at night?
They rely on thermals to fly.
What are bald eagle feathers used for?
Presentations of honor and Native American celebrations.
Why was the bald eagle a prime candidate for the seal of the United States?
The founding fathers liked comparing the U.S. to Rome, and the Romans enjoyed using eagle imagery.
Did Ben Franklin think the turkey would be a good choice for the national bird?
No, he simply voiced his distaste for the eagle in a letter to his daughter. He said it was a cowardly bird.
