Bald Eagle: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Eagles · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Bald eagles build the biggest tree nests ever recorded for any animal. Reused and added to year after year, one can weigh about a tonne.
2. The largest bald eagle nest on record was found in Florida in 1963. It was 2.9 m wide and 6.1 m deep.
3. Gliding and flapping, a bald eagle reaches 56-70 km/h, and still manages about 48 km/h while carrying a fish.
4. In a dive, a bald eagle speeds along at 120-160 km/h, though it seldom drops straight down.
5. In their courtship flights, a pair flies high, locks talons and free-falls together, letting go just before hitting the ground.

The quiz

1. About how much can a bald eagle nest weigh?

• About 10 kg
• About 100 kg
• Around 5 tonnes
• About a tonne (correct)

Reused and added to over the years, a nest can weigh about a tonne.

2. How deep was the record bald eagle nest found in Florida in 1963?

• 6.1 m (correct)
• 60 cm
• 1 m
• 20 m

The record nest was 2.9 m wide and 6.1 m deep.

3. How fast does a bald eagle fly when gliding and flapping?

• 5-10 km/h
• 20-30 km/h
• 56-70 km/h (correct)
• 150-200 km/h

Gliding and flapping, it reaches 56-70 km/h.

4. How fast can a bald eagle go in a dive?

• 30-40 km/h
• 120-160 km/h (correct)
• 10-20 km/h
• 200-250 km/h

In a dive it reaches 120-160 km/h.

5. What do bald eagle pairs do in their courtship flights?

• Lock talons and free-fall (correct)
• Swim side by side
• Hang upside down from a branch
• Sing a duet on the ground

They fly high, lock talons and free-fall, separating just before the ground.

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