The Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle... regal, majestic and powerful... a bird that is worthy as the national emblem of the United States... however if Ben Franklin had his way the bald eagle would have been replaced by non other than the Turkey... fortunately congress had other ideas!

The Bald Eagle is one of Alaska's most prominent residents. Alaska's approximate population of bald eagles is 30,000. The highest nesting density occurs around the islands of South East Alaska.

The bald eagle diet mainly consists of fish but being the consummate opportunist if an easy meal (e.g. carrion, a wayward duck or a small mammal) presents itself they won't pass it up!

Bald Eagles are big birds. They have a wing span of over seven feet and can weigh up to about 13.5 lbs. They don't attain their adult plumage (the characteristic white head and dark brown body) until they are roughly 5 years old. Until then they are brown speckled color and are often confused with their cousins the Golden Eagle.

Chances are if you visit Alaska in the summer you'll see a bald eagle or two. Given that they like to perch high up in trees you may only see them as a little brown and white speck surrounded by green!