Not so many years ago if someone said they’d seen a bald eagle their sanity would’ve been questioned. However, thanks to the hard work of conservationists around the country viewing an eagle is not such an unusual sight. In 1995 the Bald Eagle was reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened.” On June 28, 2007 this majestic bird was removed from the Endangered and Threatened Species List. Females are up to 25% larger than adult males. Females may have a wingspan up to 96″ while adult males can have wingspans as small as 66″. Adult Bald Eagles, both male and female, have dark brown/black bodies with a white head and tail. In the wild thier average lifespan is around 20 years though at least one captive bird lived for nearly 50 years. While their primary diet is fish they will take advantage of carrion, particularly in the winter. They have been known to “steal” fish from egrets, herons and other birds. Below are pictured an adult and an immature Bald Eagle. While both were photographed near Lake Mattamuskeet I have seen Bald Eagles on three occassions around the Crystal Coast.
5 Comments
I saw a Bald Eagle today in the wild, the 1st time ever, what an awesome sight !!!! I think it ight have been a male, due to the size. I am from England living in Bladen county, I never thought I would see something like this.
I seen a bald eagle in Harnett County, N.C. off of Over Hills Rd. It was definately a femal due to her size. She was perched in the top of a tall dead oak tree, easy to spot because her head looked like a giant snow ball in the top of the tree. I watched her for about 20 minutes before she flew away, what a site to behold. I have seen many bald eagles in Alaska. This is the first one I have ever seen in N.C.
The first Bald Eagle I’ve seen since I moved here from Florida 6 1/2 years ago.
It was so awesome I almost cried!
By the way, I live in Rowan Co.
I was riding on Hwy 13 outside Newton Grove NC on 2-10-13 and spotted an unusually large bird. Turned out to be just like the picture of the Bald Eagle on this site.
I saw a bald eagle this morning in rural Halifax County, taking off from a dead deer in the misty rain. White head, white tail, huge wingspan, so I am pretty sure it was one! (I think female, because it was huge in compare to our typical vultures, etc., but I noticed the white first instead of the size.