TO EAGLELAIR'S HOME PAGE
This page is dedicated to the American Bald Eagle. May they fly proud and free forever.

The name was derived from the word piebald, meaning "marked with white."

The Bald Eagle is the second largest bird of prey in North America.

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The Bald Eagle (Halliaeetus leucocephalus) was designated as the national bird of the United States in 1782.

Bald Eagles are monogamous and mate for life but will select a new mate if their first one dies. Mating seasons vary greatly depending on geography. In the South it may last from September through November, while in the North and the Great Plains it may last from January through March. In Alaska it lasts from late March into April.The pair builds a large nest called an eyrie on top of tall sturdy tree. The nests become larger as the Eagles return year after year, adding new materials. THe average nest will start at about 2 feet deep by 5 feet across, and can grow as large as 10 feet across and 4-5 feet deep over the years. Nests are lined with twigs, soft mosses, grasses and feathers.

Five to ten days after copulation the female lays the first speckled, off-white or buff colored egg. The second egg is layed a few days later and a third may follow a few days after the second. The incubation time is approximately 35 days for each egg. The eggs will hatch a few days apart in the order they were laid, with the eaglets varying in size and development from each other. Eaglets wiegh approximately 3 ounces at hatching and are coverd in a light grey down. Their eyes are partially closed and their legs will not be able to support them for several weeks.