American Bald Eagles Information - Pictures

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American Bald Eagles Information - Reproduction

American Bald Eagles pair for life, yet if one of the partners dies, the species will not hesitate to find a new one. The species may use one nest for a number of years. Depending on the nesting site, the nests differ in shape. Those that are built almost on the ground are likely to be of disk shape. There can also be conical or bowl-shaped nests.

The nesting sites are usually near a water resource, which is connected with the food habits of the American Bald Eagle. The nests may be as large as 5 feet in diameter. The nest may get impaired in the case the tree falls or due to a strong wind. In most cases, the pair will rebuild the nest if there is sufficient time for the hatch to appear.

American Bald Eagles usually defend the territories they consider their own during the breeding season. Both the male and female raise the young and sit on the eggs. The male is usually very active at supplying the family with necessary food.

The species usually has from 1 to 3 eggs in the hatch, yet not all eaglets will survive. Sometimes, the older and consequently bigger eaglet can kill the smaller one with parents showing no anxiety. The newly born have soft covers and are helpless since their vision abilities are limited.

The eaglets grow rapidly and feed on pieces of meat shed by the parents. By the age of three weeks, an eaglet will have the beak and feet almost as large as an adult bird. This time is also characterized by coat conversion. At eight weeks, the eaglets start to stretch their wings once the wind blows. The young will not start flying until they obtain juvenile feathering. American Bald Eagles reach sexual maturity by the age of four to five years.

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