12.9. Haliaeetus leucocephalus: Bald Eagle http://www.ck12.org
12.9 Haliaeetus leucocephalus: Bald Eagle
Common Name
- Bald Eagle
- American Bald Eagle
- American Eagle
- Fishing Eagle
- White-Headed Eagle
- White-Headed Sea Eagle
Description
Haliaeetus leucocephalus, which means “The sea eagle with a white head,” is a species of the familyAccipitridae,
the eagle family. Within this family is the genus Haliaeetus, or the fish eagles, which include birds likeHaliaeetus
pelagicus(Steller’s sea eagle) orHaliaeetus albicilla(grey sea eagle/white tailed eagle). The white tailed eagle
looks almost identical to theHaliaeetus leucocephalusfrom a distance, in part because of the head color, which is
light grey.H. leucocephalusis by far the most famous of the genusHaliaeetus, mostly because it is a symbol of
the United States of America. It is on the seals of the President, Air Force, Navy, Department of Defense, FBI, and
most other government offices, and also US 101st Airborne division’s shoulder patch insignia. The bald eagle has a
wingspan of 5.9-7.5 ft (1.8-2.3 metres), and a body length of 2.3-3.3 ft (0.7-1 metres). It has a dark brown body as
well as a white head and tail. It has a yellow beak.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus:Haliaeetus
- Species:H. leucocephalus
Habitat
Haliaeetus leucocephalususually has its nests near water sources, such as lakes, marshes, rivers, or the ocean. It
breeds all over North America from Alaska to Baja California, from eastern Canada to the Aleutian Islands. It
usually builds its nests at the tops of tall trees.