Bald eagles are majestic birds of prey that are a symbol of strength and freedom in the United States. But when we see them soaring high in the sky or perched on a tree branch, it makes you wonder – what exactly do bald eagles spend their time doing each day? Here we will explore the daily lives of these remarkable birds.
Hunting and Feeding
A huge part of a bald eagle’s daily routine revolves around hunting and feeding. Bald eagles are carnivores and need to eat meat every day to survive. They are opportunistic hunters and will eat a variety of prey depending on what is available, including fish, waterfowl, snakes, turtles, rabbits, and more.
Bald eagles have incredible eyesight that helps them spot potential prey while flying high above. When they identify prey, they will swoop down rapidly to snatch the animal in their powerful talons. Eagles have a grip strength of nearly 1,000 psi, allowing them to securely grab large prey like fish or even small deer.
Once the prey is caught, the eagles will use their sharp beak to tear the flesh and feed. Bald eagles can eat 1-2 pounds of food per day on average. They will gorge themselves when prey is abundant so they can survive when food is scarce.
Good fishing areas allow easy access to the eagles’ preferred food. This leads bald eagles to congregate in larger numbers around rivers, lakes, and coastal regions where fish are plentiful. They will also scavenge for carrion when available.
Common Bald Eagle Prey
- Fish – Preferred prey, especially salmon, catfish, suckers, bullheads
- Waterfowl – Ducks and gulls
- Snakes
- Turtles
- Small mammals – Rabbits, muskrats, raccoons
- Carrion – Scavenge on dead animals
Perching and Roosting
When bald eagles are not actively hunting, a lot of their time is spent perching. Prominent trees and branches near waterways make ideal perches for eagles. From these high perches, the eagles can scan the landscape for potential food sources and threats.
Eagles will also perch just after eating a meal, where they can rest comfortably as they digest. Their feathers puff out after eating to aid in digestion. Digesting can take several hours depending on the size of the meal.
As night approaches, bald eagles will seek protected spots to roost for the night. Favorite roosting spots include tall trees, cliffs, rocky outcrops, and sheltered bluffs. Eagles prefer having their roost sites near water. Many eagles congregate together at communal roosts, sometimes numbering in the hundreds.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season lasts from February to July, though timing varies across the range. Nest building and egg laying make up an important part of the bald eagles’ daily routine during this time.
Bald eagle pairs will construct an enormous nest out of branches, sticks, and grasses. The nests are usually built high up in a tall tree near water. Eagles will often have multiple nests in their territory and alternate between them. Nests can grow up to 10 feet wide and weigh over 1 ton!
The female bald eagle will lay 1-3 eggs, which the mated pair will take turns incubating over about 35 days until they hatch. After hatching, the eaglets will remain in the nest where the parents provide food and protection. The young fledge from the nest at 10-14 weeks old.
Bald Eagle Breeding Timeline
- October-December: Eagle pairs begin courtship
- February-March: Eggs laid and incubated
- April-May: Eggs hatch after 35 days
- May-July: Eaglets grow and fledge from the nest at 10-14 weeks
Migration
Some northern bald eagle populations migrate seasonally, while others remain in the same territory year-round. Migration depends on availability of food sources.
In northern regions, lakes and rivers freeze over in winter months, reducing access to open water fishing areas. As a result, some bald eagles that nest in Alaska, Canada, and the northern continental U.S. will migrate south in search of more plentiful food and open water.
Their migrations can take them hundreds or even thousands of miles. Migrating bald eagles travel during daylight hours and stop to roost overnight. The eagles that migrate the farthest head all the way to areas like Texas, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico.
Key Bald Eagle Migration Facts
- Northern populations migrate, southern ones remain year-round
- Migrations span hundreds to thousands of miles
- Migration occurs from September-November spring and February-April fall
- They travel during the day and roost overnight
Daily Life Through the Year
The daily habits and behavior of bald eagles can vary somewhat depending on the time of year:
Spring (March-May)
- Nest building and egg laying
- Incubating and hatching eggs
- Caring for eaglets in the nest
- Local prey like fish, waterfowl, small mammals are key food sources
Summer (June-August)
- Raising and feeding eaglets until they fledge
- Fledglings learn to fly and hunt
- Adults continue hunting prey in their home territory
Fall (September-November)
- Migration south for some populations
- Abundant food prior to migration
- Juveniles remain closer to nest while adults migrate
Winter (December-February)
- Scarcer food in colder climates
- Further migrations or settling into winter range
- More scavenging behavior
Defense and Territorial Behaviors
In addition to hunting and feeding, bald eagles will also spend time engaged in territorial defense against rivals. They are highly territorial around their nests and foraging grounds.
Some defensive behaviors include loud vocalizations, aggressive chasing, and dramatic aerial displays. The striking of talons in mid-air warns away intruders. Eagles will fight fiercely, with battles sometimes ending in death.
Younger juveniles are tolerated within adult eagle territories and do not breed. But adults are extremely protective of their nests and offspring. They will fight any perceived threats, including other eagles, predators, humans, or animals that stray too close.
Key Eagle Territorial Behaviors
- Perching visibly – High perches communicate dominance
- Vocalizations – Loud screeches warn away others
- Dramatic flight displays – Talon clasping shows aggression
- Aggressive chasing – Air and ground attacks drive out rivals
- Fighting – Violent battles sometimes result in death
Grooming and Preening
Bald eagles spend time each day tending to their plumage. By preening their feathers with their beak, eagles smooth and realign feathers, remove debris and parasites, and coat their feathers with oil from a gland near their tail.
Good feather maintenance helps bald eagles fly and hunt effectively. It also regulates their body temperature and allows them to repel water. Eagles will also bathe to clean themselves by splashing in shallow water or allow rainfall to wash over them.
Why Bald Eagles Preen
- Realigns feathers into proper aerodynamic position
- Distributes oil across feathers
- Removes dirt and parasites
- Keeps insulation properties effective
Soaring and Gliding
Bald eagles spend a great deal of time soaring high above their territories. Their broad wingspans allow them to utilize air currents and thermals to gain altitude and then soar with little effort.
Soaring serves several purposes:
- Saves energy
- Covers large areas in search of food
- Ascends to survey territory
- Demonstrates dominance
- Performs spectacular courtship displays
Eagles hold their wings flat while soaring but can angle them to help steer. If an eagle spots potential food while gliding, it will fan its tail and tip its wings down to dive rapidly towards prey.
Bald Eagle Flight Facts
- Wingspan reaches 6-7 feet
- Can fly 36-44 mph
- Elevate thousands of feet updrafts
- Angle wings for precise maneuvering
Resting and Sleeping
All the hunting, feeding, territorial defense and other activities fill an eagle’s day and require periods of rest. Eagles will take short rest breaks by perching comfortably after activities like eating or preening.
At night, bald eagles will sleep at their roost sites. Their preferred sleeping positions are either upright while perching or standing on a branch. Eagles sleep with one eye partially open and the head facing sideways to stay alert for threats.
On average, bald eagles sleep about 10 hours per day. However, they tend to sleep less during nesting season as they attend to their eggs and eaglets. Eagles experience less deep sleep during migration as well.
Activity | Average Hours Per Day |
---|---|
Flying and Soaring | 5 |
Hunting and Feeding | 3 |
Perching and Roosting | 3 |
Preening | 2 |
Sleeping | 10 |
Territorial Defense | 1 |
Conclusion
In summary, the daily life of bald eagles is mainly centered around finding enough food to survive. They spend their mornings and afternoons actively hunting before returning to their roosts to rest at night. The eagles also devote time to essential behaviors like preening, sleeping, migrating, and defending territories.
The breeding season adds additional activities like courtship, nesting, and rearing young. But parental duties like providing food and protecting eaglets also consume much of the bald eagles’ time during spring and summer.
Bald eagles lead a busy life filled with spectacular aerial pursuits and moments of peace surveying their domain. Their unique behaviors and adaptations allow them to thrive as powerful symbols of nature’s grace and nobility. Understanding the bald eagle’s daily rhythms provides a window into the lives of these majestic raptors.