Rural Perspectives: American bald eagle now found in area

Bald eagles are uncommon here but can be found in the Stockbridge area. Photo credit: Diane Constable

by Diane Constable

Although uncommon here, the beloved and very protected American bald eagle has taken up residence in our area. Its scientific name Haliaeetus leucocephalushas means white-headed sea eagle.

The bald eagle is our largest raptor with an average wingspan of 7.5 feet and a height up to 3.5 feet. It has been known to soar up to 10,000 feet, fly up to 30 miles per hour, and dive at 100 miles per hour.

In winter, they migrate south to find open water where they can hunt easily for food. Bald eagles eat a wide variety of food including fish, ducks, snakes, turtles, small mammals such as rabbits and muskrat, and even carrion.

Bald eagles mate for life and come back to the same nest each year. The nest, or eyrie, starts out at about 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Older nests can reach up to 9 feet wide. One to three eggs are laid, hatching in about five weeks. The chicks take flight at about 3 months old and look nothing like an adult. Chicks are solid brown with mottled white areas underneath their wings. At about 4 years old, they gain their iconic solid yellow bill and feet, and white head and tail feathers.

By 1965, the American bald eagle was nearly extinct because of overhunting and DDT poisoning. In the 1970s, Michigan had only two active nests. Due to hardworking conservation practices, Michigan now has more than 800 nesting pairs of our national symbol.

Fun Fact: Bald eagles are very good swimmers, using their wings as oars to swim to shore after catching a particularly hefty fish.

Diane Gray Constable