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115-456: The national forest may be divided into several distinct sections, which together cover 2,300,000 acres (9,300 km) of land, including 600,000 acres (2,400 km) of designated wilderness . A large section of the forest is located in the rugged Wallowa Mountains , south of Joseph, Oregon , in the upper reaches of the Wallowa , Minam , and Imnaha drainage basins . The alpine area in

230-655: A gull 's call. The calls of young birds tend to be more harsh and shrill than those of adults. The bald eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most of Canada, all of the continental United States , and northern Mexico. It is the only sea eagle endemic to North America. Occupying varied habitats from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and the eastern deciduous forests of Quebec and New England , northern birds are migratory , while southern birds are resident, remaining on their breeding territory all year. At minimum population, in

345-539: A species pair with the white-tailed eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla ), which occupies the same niche as the bald eagle in the Palearctic . Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska , all of the contiguous United States , and northern Mexico . It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting. The bald eagle is an opportunistic feeder which subsists mainly on fish , which it swoops down upon and snatches from

460-689: A 20,500-square-foot (1,900 m) log building in Enterprise, burned to the ground on July 11, 2010. The forest works with the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on cultural and natural resources issues. The Wallowa–Whitman National Forest is used for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. Anthony Lakes Ski Area

575-877: A bald eagle flies close by, waterbirds will often fly away en masse, though they may seemingly ignore a perched eagle in other cases. when the birds fly away from a colony, this exposes their unprotected eggs and nestlings to scavengers such as gulls . While they usually target small to medium-sized seabirds, larger seabirds such as great black-backed gulls ( Larus marinus ) and northern gannets ( Morus bassanus ) and brown pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis ) of all ages can successfully be taken by bald eagles. Similarly, large waterbirds are occasionally killed. Geese such as wintering emperor geese ( Chen canagica ) and snow geese ( C. caerulescens ), which gather in large groups, sometimes becoming regular prey. Smaller Ross's geese ( Anser rossii ) are also taken, as well as large-sized Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ). Predation on

690-546: A bald eagle was observed carrying 6.8 kg (15 lb) mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) fawn. Additionally, Virginia opossums ( Didelphis virginiana ) can be preyed upon. Still, predation events are rare due to their nocturnal habits. Together with the golden eagle, bald eagles are occasionally accused of preying on livestock, especially sheep ( Ovis aries ). There are a handful of proven cases of lamb predation, some specimens weighing up to 11 kg (24 lb), by bald eagles. Still, they are much less likely to attack

805-466: A body length of 70–102 cm (28–40 in). Typical wingspan is between 1.8 and 2.3 m (5 ft 11 in and 7 ft 7 in) and mass is normally between 3 and 6.3 kg (6.6 and 13.9 lb). Females are about 25% larger than males, averaging as much as 5.6 kg (12 lb), and against the males' average weight of 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). The size of the bird varies by location and generally corresponds with Bergmann's rule :

920-432: A cliff or other terrain. Migration generally takes place during the daytime, usually between the local hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., when thermals are produced by the sun. The bald eagle is an opportunistic carnivore with the capacity to consume a great variety of prey. Fish often comprise most of the eagle's diet throughout their range. In 20 food habit studies across the species' range, fish comprised 56% of

1035-430: A healthy lamb than a golden eagle. Both species prefer native, wild prey and are unlikely to cause any extensive detriment to human livelihoods. There is one case of a bald eagle killing and feeding on an adult, pregnant ewe (then joined in eating the kill by at least 3 other eagles), which, weighing on average over 60 kg (130 lb), is much larger than any other known prey taken by this species. Supplemental prey

1150-531: A lack of human disturbance, spend their time in various upland, terrestrial habitats sometimes quite far away from waterways. In the northern half of North America (especially the interior portion), this terrestrial inhabitance by bald eagles tends to be especially prevalent because unfrozen water may not be accessible. Upland wintering habitats often consist of open habitats with concentrations of medium-sized mammals, such as prairies , meadows or tundra , or open forests with regular carrion access. The bald eagle

1265-455: A larger beak , straighter edged wings which are held flat (not slightly raised) and with a stiffer wing beat and feathers which do not completely cover the legs. When seen well, the golden eagle is distinctive in plumage with a more solid warm brown color than an immature bald eagle, with a reddish-golden patch to its nape and (in immature birds) a highly contrasting set of white squares on the wing. The bald eagle has sometimes been considered

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1380-806: A lot of food. On Protection Island , Washington , they commonly feed on harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) afterbirths, still-borns and sickly seal pups. Similarly, bald eagles in Alaska readily prey on sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) pups. Small to medium-sized terrestrial mammalian carnivores can be taken infrequently. Mustelid including American martens ( Martes pennanti ), American minks ( Neogale vison ), and larger fisher cats ( Pekania pennanti ) are known to be hunted. Foxes are also taken, including Island foxes ( Urocyon littoralis ), Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus ), and grey foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ). Although fox farmers claimed that bald eagle heavily prey on young and adult free-range Arctic fox,

1495-400: A preference for bodies of water with a circumference greater than 11 km (7 mi), and lakes with an area greater than 10 km (4 sq mi) are optimal for breeding bald eagles. The bald eagle typically requires old-growth and mature stands of coniferous or hardwood trees for perching, roosting, and nesting. Tree species reportedly is less important to the eagle pair than

1610-493: A record from 1876 in Wyoming County, New York of an enormous adult bald eagle that was shot and reportedly scaled 8.2 kg (18 lb). Among standard linear measurements, the wing chord is 51.5–69 cm (20.3–27.2 in), the tail is 23–37 cm (9.1–14.6 in) long, and the tarsus is 8 to 11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 in). The culmen reportedly ranges from 3 to 7.5 cm (1.2 to 3.0 in), while

1725-408: A single bald eagle successfully displaced two consecutive golden eagles from a kill. Though bald eagles face few natural threats, an unusual attacker comes in the form of the common loon ( G. immer ), which is also taken by eagles as prey. While common loons normally avoid conflict, they are highly territorial and will attack predators and competitors by stabbing at them with their knife-like bill; as

1840-639: A state by state basis and determines which areas and how much land in each area will become part of the WPS. There have been multiple occasions in which Congress designated more federal land than had been recommended by the nominating agency. Where as the Wilderness Act stipulated that a wilderness area must be "administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such a manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness",

1955-449: Is a powerful flier, and soars on thermal convection currents. It reaches speeds of 56–70 km/h (35–43 mph) when gliding and flapping, and about 48 km/h (30 mph) while carrying fish. Its dive speed is between 120–160 km/h (75–99 mph), though it seldom dives vertically. Regarding their flying abilities, despite being morphologically less well adapted to faster flight than golden eagles (especially during dives),

2070-493: Is able to carry it away successfully. They obtain much of their food as carrion or via a practice known as kleptoparasitism , by which they steal prey away from other predators. Due to their dietary habits, bald eagles are frequently viewed in a negative light by humans. Thanks to their superior foraging ability and experience, adults are generally more likely to hunt live prey than immature eagles, which often obtain their food from scavenging. They are not very selective about

2185-605: Is habitual mainly in Alaska) and fish-processing plants. In Southeast Alaska , fish comprise approximately 66% of the year-round diet of bald eagles and 78% of the prey brought to the nest by the parents. Eagles living in the Columbia River Estuary in Oregon were found to rely on fish for 90% of their dietary intake. At least 100 species of fish have been recorded in the bald eagle's diet. From observation in

2300-409: Is held immobile by the front toes. The beak is large and hooked, with a yellow cere . The adult bald eagle is unmistakable in its native range. The closely related African fish eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer ) (from far outside the bald eagle's range) also has a brown body (albeit of somewhat more rufous hue), white head and tail, but differs from the bald eagle in having a white chest and black tip to

2415-743: Is home to the annual Eagle Cap Extreme Dog Sled Race, a three-day race that qualifies winners for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Yukon Quest race in Alaska and Yukon Territory. It is also home to the Wallowa Lake Tramway . There are four designated wilderness areas within the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. Three of these extend into neighboring national forests or onto land that

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2530-506: Is mainly brown with a white head and tail. The sexes are identical in plumage , but females are about 25 percent larger than males. The yellow beak is large and hooked. The plumage of the immature is brown. The bald eagle is the national symbol of the United States of America and appears on its seal . In the late 20th century it was on the brink of extirpation in the contiguous United States. Populations have since recovered, and

2645-675: Is managed by the Bureau of Land Management . National Wilderness Preservation System The National Wilderness Preservation System ( NWPS ) of the United States protects federally managed wilderness areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. Activity on formally designated wilderness areas is coordinated by the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness areas are managed by four federal land management agencies:

2760-409: Is merely 455 g (1.003 lb) lighter in mean body mass and exceeds the bald eagle in mean wing chord length by around 3 cm (1.2 in). Additionally, the bald eagle's close cousins, the relatively longer-winged but shorter-tailed white-tailed eagle and the overall larger Steller's sea eagle ( Haliaeetus pelagicus ), may, rarely, wander to coastal Alaska from Asia. The bald eagle has

2875-418: Is moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped. Males and females are identical in plumage coloration, but sexual dimorphism is evident in the species, in that females are 25% larger than males. The beak, feet and irises are bright yellow. The legs are feather-free, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons. The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it

2990-504: Is now generally thought that golden eagles eat more carrion than was previously assumed). However, the two species are roughly equal in size, aggressiveness and physical strength and so competitions can go either way. Neither species is known to be dominant, and the outcome depends on the size and disposition of the individual eagles involved. Wintering bald and golden eagles in Utah both sometimes won conflicts, though in one recorded instance

3105-486: Is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions". As of 2023 , 806 wilderness areas have been designated, totaling 111,889,002 acres (45,279,873 ha; 452,798.73 km ; 174,826.566 sq mi), which comprise about 4.5% of the land area of the United States . During the 1950s and 1960s, as the American transportation system was on the rise, concern for clean air and water quality began to grow. A conservation movement began to take place with

3220-685: Is readily taken given the opportunity. In some areas, reptiles may become regular prey, especially in warm areas such as Florida where reptile diversity is high. Turtles are perhaps the most regularly hunted type of reptile. In coastal New Jersey , 14 of 20 studied eagle nests included remains of turtles. The main species found were common musk turtles ( Sternotherus odoratus ), diamondback terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin ) and juvenile common snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ). In these New Jersey nests, mainly subadult and small adults were taken, ranging in carapace length from 9.2 to 17.1 cm (3.6 to 6.7 in). Similarly, many turtles were recorded in

3335-413: Is relatively easy for the much larger eagles to catch and fly with. American herring gull ( Larus smithsonianus ) are the favored avian prey species for eagles living around Lake Superior . Black ducks ( Anas rubripes ), common eiders ( Somateria mollissima ), and double-crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) are also frequently taken in coastal Maine and velvet scoter ( Melanitta fusca )

3450-664: Is under federal ownership and management, (2) the area consists of at least five thousand acres of land, (3) human influence is "substantially unnoticeable," (4) there are opportunities for solitude and recreation, and (5) the area possesses "ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value." Wilderness areas are subject to specific management restrictions; human activities are limited to non-motorized recreation (such as backpacking , camping , hunting , fishing , horseback riding, etc.), scientific research , and other non-invasive activities. During these activities, patrons are asked to abide by

3565-531: Is within the forest. The ski area is 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Baker City and 45 miles (72 km) southwest of La Grande. It has groomed slopes for alpine skiing and snowboarding and trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing . The forest also has many miles of trail specifically designated for snowmobile use. The forest has 52 developed campgrounds and 9 day-use picnic areas. Most campgrounds are open from May to October. The Forest Service also operates five rental cabins. Hikers have

Wallowa–Whitman National Forest - Misplaced Pages Continue

3680-591: The Eastern Wilderness Areas Act of 1975, which added 16 national forest areas to the NWPS, allowed for the inclusion of areas that had been severely modified by human interference. The Wilderness Act provides criteria for lands being considered for wilderness designation. Though there are some exceptions, the following conditions must be present for an area to be included in the NWPS: (1) the land

3795-598: The Greater Yellowstone area average 27 m (89 ft) high. Trees or forest used for nesting should have a canopy cover of no more than 60%, and no less than 20%, and be in close proximity to water. Most nests have been found within 200 m (660 ft) of open water. The greatest distance from open water recorded for a bald eagle nest was over 3 km (1.9 mi), in Florida. Bald eagle nests are often very large in order to compensate for size of

3910-623: The Leave No Trace policy. This policy sets guidelines for using the wilderness responsibly and leaving the area as it was before usage. These guidelines include: Packing all trash out of the wilderness, using a stove as opposed to a fire, camping at least 200 feet (61 m) from trails or water sources, staying on marked trails, and keeping group size small. When closely observed, the Leave No Trace ethos ensures that wilderness areas remain untainted by human interaction. In general,

4025-510: The National Park Service , the U.S. Forest Service , the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , and the Bureau of Land Management . The term wilderness is defined as "an area where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain" and "an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which

4140-664: The Pelican Island Wilderness in northern Florida , which measures just 6 acres (2.4 ha) total. The smallest area preserved in the system was formerly the Rocks and Islands Wilderness in Northern California at 5 acres (2.0 ha), but after a reassessment by the Bureau of Land Management in 2006 it was officially expanded to 19 acres (7.7 ha). On November 7, 2009, an agreement between

4255-732: The Snake River known as Hells Canyon , the deepest gorge in North America. The recreation area includes portions of the Nez Perce , Payette , and Wallowa–Whitman national forests, but is managed solely by the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. It contains the Hells Canyon Wilderness , jointly managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management . The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway passes through

4370-871: The Wallowa Valley and surrounding mountains. The first European settlers arrived in the Wallowa Valley in 1860. In 1887, a gang of horse thieves murdered 34 Chinese miners in Chinese Massacre Cove along the Snake River. In 1905, the Wallowa Forest Reserve and Chesnimnus Reserve were established by President Theodore Roosevelt . The two reserves were later merged to create the Imnaha National Forest on March 1, 1907. On July 1, 1908,

4485-939: The Willamette River in Portland , Oregon or John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, which are surrounded by a great quantity of human activity. Even more contrary to the usual sensitivity to disturbance, a family of bald eagles moved to the Harlem neighborhood in New York City in 2010. While wintering, bald eagles tend to be less habitat and disturbance sensitive. They will commonly congregate at spots with plentiful perches and waters with plentiful prey and (in northern climes) partially unfrozen waters. Alternately, non-breeding or wintering bald eagles, particularly in areas with

4600-528: The brown bullhead ( Ameiurus nebulosus ) and any species in the genus Ictalurus as well as mullet , trout , needlefish , and eels . Chain pickerels ( Esox niger ) and white suckers ( Catostomus commersonii ) are frequently taken in interior Maine . Wintering eagles on the Platte River in Nebraska preyed mainly on American gizzard shads and common carp. Bald eagles are also known to eat

4715-546: The pika , marten , badger , mink , beaver , river otter , and marmot . Bird species include the peregrine falcon , bald eagle , golden eagle , ferruginous hawk , goshawk , gray-crowned rosy finch , chukar partridge , pileated woodpecker , American dipper , and great gray owl . Rivers and creeks support steelhead and trout . Plant communities range from low-elevation grasslands and ponderosa pine forest to alpine meadows . Engelmann spruce , mountain hemlock , subalpine fir and whitebark pine can be found in

Wallowa–Whitman National Forest - Misplaced Pages Continue

4830-520: The salmon spawning in the area. Similar congregations of wintering bald eagles at open lakes and rivers, wherein fish are readily available for hunting or scavenging, are observed in the northern United States. It has occurred as a vagrant twice in Ireland; a juvenile was shot illegally in Fermanagh on January 11, 1973 (misidentified at first as a white-tailed eagle ), and an exhausted juvenile

4945-635: The 1950s, it was largely restricted to Alaska , the Aleutian Islands , northern and eastern Canada, and Florida. From 1966 to 2015 bald eagle numbers increased substantially throughout its winter and breeding ranges, and as of 2018 the species nests in every continental state and province in the United States and Canada. The majority of bald eagles in Canada are found along the British Columbia coast while large populations are found in

5060-473: The Chinook salmon's large size (12 to 18 kg (26 to 40 lb) average adult size) probably being taken only as carrion and a single carcass can attract several eagles. Also important in the estuaries and shallow coastlines of southern Alaska are Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii ), Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes hexapterus ) and eulachon ( Thaleichthys pacificus ). In Oregon's Columbia River Estuary,

5175-721: The Columbia River, 58% of the fish were caught alive by the eagle, 24% were scavenged as carcasses and 18% were pirated away from other animals. In the Pacific Northwest , spawning trout and salmon provide most of the bald eagles' diet from late summer throughout fall. Though bald eagles occasionally catch live salmon, they usually scavenge spawned salmon carcass. Southeast Alaskan eagles largely prey on pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ), coho salmon ( O. kisutch ) and, more locally, sockeye salmon ( O. nerka ), with Chinook salmon ( O. tshawytscha ). Due to

5290-857: The Forest Service's Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) process. The Bureau of Land Management was not required to review its lands for inclusion in the NWPS until after October 21, 1976, when the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 was signed into law; designation of wilderness areas on BLM lands began in 1978. Over 200 wilderness areas have been created within Bureau of Land Management administered lands since then, consisting of approximately 8.71 million acres (3,520,000 ha) in September 2015. As of August 2008, 704 separate wilderness areas, encompassing 107,514,938 acres (43,509,752 ha), had become part of

5405-521: The NWPS included 34 areas protecting 9.1 million acres (37,000 km ) in the national forests. As of 2023, there are 806 areas in the NWPS, preserving 111,889,002 acres (45,279,873 ha). This is approximately 4.5% of the entire United States , though only about 2.7% of the 48 contiguous states. However, most of that acreage is located in a handful of states. The states with the highest number of wildernesses are California , Arizona , Nevada , Alaska , and Oregon . However, when measured in acres

5520-694: The NWPS, much of the wildlife in the U.S. also has an area in which to exist without significant human interaction. In late 2011, a full wilderness review was requested of the Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain in Alaska. One of the major qualifications for this area to be considered as a possible wilderness area was its diverse wildlife population, many of which are on the endangered species list. In this potential wilderness area alone, whales , seals , wolves , polar bears , grizzly bears , muskoxen , caribou , and over 200 species of migratory birds call this one area home for at least part of

5635-579: The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service review all federal lands under their jurisdiction for wilderness areas to include in the NWPS. The first national forest wilderness areas were established by the Wilderness Act itself. The Great Swamp in New Jersey became the first National Wildlife Refuge with formally designated wilderness in 1968. Wilderness areas in national parks followed, beginning with

5750-627: The National Wilderness Preservation System. On March 30, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 . The legislation designated an additional 2 million acres (810,000 ha) in nine states as wilderness, representing the largest expansion of wilderness lands since 1994. The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 added another 1.3 million acres (530,000 ha) in 43 new and expanded wilderness areas. On federal lands in

5865-464: The United States, Congress may designate an area as wilderness under the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964. Multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management , the National Park Service , the Fish and Wildlife Service , and the U.S. Forest Service , are responsible for the submission of new areas that fit the criteria to become wilderness to Congress. Congress then reviews these cases on

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5980-532: The United States, Canada, and Mexico entitled the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Wilderness Conservation" was made. This agreement created a new entity, the North American Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation for Wilderness and Protected Areas Conservation, that would streamline the process for open communication between international agencies for the purpose of wilderness preservation. This committee

6095-549: The adjacent national forests. The historic gold mining city of Sumpter is surrounded by the Wallowa–Whitman on all sides. The Wallowa–Whitman National Forest is home to 36 fish species, 236 bird species, over 90  mammal species, 26  reptile - amphibian species, and roughly 1,500 plant species. Wildlife habitat is affected by logging and grazing , but significant stands of old-growth forest have survived. A 1993 Forest Service study estimated that

6210-454: The bald eagle is considered surprisingly maneuverable in flight. Bald eagles have also been recorded catching up to and then swooping under geese in flight, turning over and thrusting their talons into the other bird's breast. It is partially migratory, depending on location. If its territory has access to open water, it remains there year-round, but if the body of water freezes during the winter, making it impossible to obtain food, it migrates to

6325-405: The bill. The plumage of the immature is a dark brown overlaid with messy white streaking until the fifth (rarely fourth, very rarely third) year, when it reaches sexual maturity. Immature bald eagles are distinguishable from the golden eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ), the only other very large, non-vulturine raptorial bird in North America, in that the former has a larger, more protruding head with

6440-523: The birds. The largest recorded nest was found in Florida in 1963, and was measured at nearly 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep. In Florida, nesting habitats often consist of Mangrove swamps, the shorelines of lakes and rivers, pinelands , seasonally flooded flatwoods , hardwood swamps , and open prairies and pastureland with scattered tall trees. Favored nesting trees in Florida are slash pines ( Pinus elliottii ), longleaf pines ( P. palustris ), loblolly pines ( P. taeda ) and cypress trees , but for

6555-709: The breeding season around Lake Britton in California, fish measuring 34 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) were taken 71.8% of the time by parent eagles while fish measuring 23 to 27.5 cm (9.1 to 10.8 in) were chosen only 25% of the time. At nests around Lake Superior , the remains of fish (mostly suckers ) were found to average 35.4 cm (13.9 in) in total length. In the Columbia River estuary, most preyed on by eagles were estimated to measure less than 30 cm (12 in), but larger fish between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in) or even exceeding 60 cm (24 in) in length also taken especially during

6670-508: The choice of 66 trails, with vista points along many of the routes, and 26 interpretive sites. The national forest has seven areas where visitors can enjoy swimming, power boating, rafting , canoeing, and kayaking . There are numerous fishing streams, and hunting is allowed during specific seasons. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates hunting and fishing activities on national forest land. Some forest activities require permits. The type of permit and its cost depends on

6785-602: The condition or origin, whether provided by humans, other animals, auto accidents or natural causes, of a carcass's presence, but will avoid eating carrion where disturbances from humans are a regular occurrence. They will scavenge carcasses up to the size of whales, though carcasses of ungulates and large fish are seemingly preferred. Congregated wintering waterfowl are frequently exploited for carcasses to scavenge by immature eagles in harsh winter weather. Bald eagles also may sometimes feed on material scavenged or stolen from campsites and picnics, as well as garbage dumps (dump usage

6900-1926: The consumption of the dead victims. Nine species of other accipitrids and owls are known to have been preyed upon by bald eagles. Owl prey species have ranged in size from western screech-owls ( Megascops kennicotti ) to snowy owls ( Bubo scandiacus ). Larger diurnal raptors known to have fallen victim to bald eagles have included red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ), peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus ), northern goshawks ( Accipiter gentilis ), ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ) and black ( Coragyps atratus ) and turkey vultures ( Cathartes aura ). Mammalian preys are generally less frequently taken than fish or avian prey. However, in some regions, such as landlocked areas of North America, wintering bald eagles may become habitual predators of medium-sized mammals that occur in colonies or local concentrations, such as prairie dogs ( Cynomys sp.) and jackrabbits ( Lepus sp.). Bald eagles in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge often hunt in pair to catch cottontails, jackrabbits and prairie dogs. They can attack and prey on rabbits and hares of nearly any size, from marsh rabbits ( Sylvilagus palustris ) to black and white-tailed jackrabbits ( Lepus californicus & L. townsendii ), and Arctic hares ( Lepus arcticus ). In San Luis Valley , white-tailed jackrabbits can be important prey. Additionally, rodents such as montane voles ( Microtus montanus ), brown rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), and various squirrels are taken as supplementary prey. Larger rodents such as muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus ), young or small adult nutrias ( Myocastor coypus ) and groundhogs ( Marmota monax ) are also preyed upon. Even American porcupines ( Erethizon dorsatum ) are reportedly attacked and killed. Where available, seal colonies can provide

7015-666: The designation of wilderness in part of Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho in 1970. A dramatic spike in acreage added to the wilderness system in 1980 was due in large part to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act , signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on December 2, 1980. A smaller spike in 1984 came with the passage of many bills establishing national forest wilderness areas identified by

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7130-1439: The diet in the Chesapeake Bay . In Texas , softshell turtles are the most frequently taken prey, and a large number of Barbour's map turtles are taken in Torreya State Park . Other reptilian and amphibian prey includes southern alligator lizards ( Elgaria multicarinata ), snakes such as garter snakes and rattlesnakes , and Greater siren ( Siren lacertina ). Invertebrates are occasionally taken. In Alaska , eagles feed on sea urchins ( Strongylocentrotus sp.), chitons, mussels, and crabs. Other various mollusks such as land snails , abalones , bivalves , periwinkles , blue mussels , squids , and starfishes are taken as well. When competing for food, eagles will usually dominate other fish-eaters and scavengers, aggressively displacing mammals such as coyotes ( Canis latrans ) and foxes, and birds such as corvids , gulls , vultures and other raptors . Occasionally, coyotes, bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) and domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ) can displace eagles from carrion, usually less confident immature birds, as has been recorded in Maine. Bald eagles are less active, bold predators than golden eagles and get relatively more of their food as carrion and from kleptoparasitism (although it

7245-528: The diet of nesting eagles, birds 28%, mammals 14% and other prey 2%. More than 400 species are known to be included in the bald eagle's prey spectrum, far more than its ecological equivalent in the Old World, the white-tailed eagle , is known to take. Despite its considerably lower population, the bald eagle may come in second amongst all North American accipitrids, slightly behind only the red-tailed hawk , in number of prey species recorded. To hunt fish,

7360-447: The eagle swoops down over the water and snatches the fish out of the water with its talons . They eat by holding the fish in one claw and tearing the flesh with the other. Eagles have structures on their toes called spicules that allow them to grasp fish. Osprey also have this adaptation. Bird prey may occasionally be attacked in flight, with prey up to the size of Canada geese attacked and killed in mid-air. It has been estimated that

7475-545: The eagle's diet is variable, depending on the quantity and availability of fish near the water's surface. Waterbirds can seasonally comprise from 7% to 80% of the prey selection for eagles in certain localities. Overall, birds are the most diverse group in the bald eagle's prey spectrum, with 200 prey species recorded. Bird species most preferred as prey by eagles tend to be medium-sized, such as western grebes ( Aechmophorus occidentalis ), mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ), and American coots ( Fulica americana ) as such prey

7590-823: The eastern Appalachian Mountains without apparent conflict. Bald eagles are frequently mobbed by smaller raptors, due to their infrequent but unpredictable tendency to hunt other birds of prey. Many bald eagles are habitual kleptoparasites, especially in winters when fish are harder to come by. They have been recorded stealing fish from other predators such as ospreys , herons and even otters . They have also been recorded opportunistically pirating birds from peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus ), prairie dogs from ferruginous hawks ( Buteo regalis ) and even jackrabbits from golden eagles . When they approach scavengers such as dogs, gulls or vultures at carrion sites, they often attack them in an attempt to force them to disgorge their food. Healthy adult bald eagles are not preyed upon in

7705-484: The exact nature of protection may differ from federal laws. Some U.S. states have created wilderness preservation programs modeled on the NWPS. Bald eagle Falco pygargus Daudin, 1800 (nec Linnaeus) Falco ossifragus Shaw, 1809 (nec Linnaeus) The bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) is a bird of prey found in North America . A sea eagle , it has two known subspecies and forms

7820-401: The extent of old growth in the forest was 173,000 acres (70,000 ha). Large mammal species include Shiras moose, Rocky Mountain elk , Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep , mountain goat , white-tailed deer , mule deer , black bear , timber wolf , cougar , and bobcat . Several sightings of wolverines , rare within the United States, have been recorded since the 1990s. Smaller mammals include

7935-519: The fish (possibly due to overfishing) and otters (cause unknown) have had steep population declines, causing concern for seabird conservation. Because of this more extensive predation, some biologist has expressed concern that murres are heading for a "conservation collision" due to heavy eagle predation. Eagles have been confirmed to attack nocturnally active, burrow-nesting seabird species such as storm petrels and shearwaters by digging out their burrows and feeding on all animals they find inside. If

8050-709: The following fish species: rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), white catfish ( Ameiurus catus ), rock greenling ( Hexagrammos lagocephalus ), Pacific cod ( Gadus macrocephalus ), Atka mackerel ( Pleurogrammus monopterygius ), largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), northern pike ( Esox lucius ), striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ), dogfish shark ( Squalidae.sp ) and Blue walleye ( Sander vitreus ). Fish taken by bald eagles varies in size, but bald eagles take larger fish than other piscivorous birds in North America, typically range from 20 to 75 cm (7.9 to 29.5 in) and prefer 36 cm (14 in) fish. When experimenters offered fish of different sizes in

8165-546: The forests of Alberta , Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario . Bald eagles also congregate in certain locations in winter. From November until February, one to two thousand birds winter in Squamish, British Columbia , about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler . In March 2024, bald eagles were found nesting in Toronto for the first time. The birds primarily gather along the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers, attracted by

8280-536: The future of both the U.S. system and North American preservation efforts as a whole. One of the major goals of the Wilderness Preservation System is to provide undeveloped habitats for threatened or endangered species . Many of the species found in the United States are represented in wilderness areas. There are 261 basic ecosystems in the U.S., and 157 of them are represented in the system. With 60% of all ecosystems somewhat protected by

8395-705: The golden eagle, with the bald species estimated to number at least 150,000 individuals, about twice as many golden eagles there are estimated to live in North America. Due to this, bald eagles often outnumber golden eagles at attractive food sources. Despite the potential for contention between these animals, in New Jersey during winter, a golden eagle and numerous bald eagles were observed to hunt snow geese alongside each other without conflict. Similarly, both eagle species have been recorded, via video-monitoring, to feed on gut piles and carcasses of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) in remote forest clearings in

8510-727: The gripping power (pounds by square inch) of the bald eagle is ten times greater than that of a human. Bald eagles can fly with fish at least equal to their own weight, but if the fish is too heavy to lift, the eagle may be dragged into the water. Bald eagles are able to swim, in some cases dragging its catch ashore with its talons, but some eagles drown or succumb to hypothermia . Many sources claim that bald eagles, like all large eagles, cannot normally take flight carrying prey more than half of their own weight unless aided by favorable wind conditions. On numerous occasions, when large prey such as large fish including mature salmon or geese are attacked, eagles have been seen to make contact and then drag

8625-407: The ground. In a more typical tree standing on dry ground, nests may be located from 16 to 38 m (52 to 125 ft) in height. In Chesapeake Bay , nesting trees averaged 82 cm (32 in) in diameter and 28 m (92 ft) in total height, while in Florida, the average nesting tree stands 23 m (75 ft) high and is 23 cm (9.1 in) in diameter. Trees used for nesting in

8740-567: The heart of the mountain range is designated as the Eagle Cap Wilderness . Bordering the national forest on the north, Wallowa Lake State Park is located on the shore of Wallowa Lake . A smaller section of the forest is located north of Enterprise, Oregon , along Joseph Canyon . This section is joined to the first by the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area , which protects the stretch of

8855-461: The higher elevations, with Douglas-fir , white fir , western larch , and lodgepole pine elsewhere. Wildflowers include clarkia , Indian paintbrush , sego lily , elephanthead , larkspur , shooting star , and bluebell . Rocky bluffs in the Hells Canyon area support prickly pear cactus and poison ivy . The Forest Service uses controlled burns before the wildfire season to reduce

8970-411: The intent of establishing designated wilderness areas. Howard Zahniser created the first draft of the Wilderness Act in 1956. It took nine years and 65 rewrites before the Wilderness Act was finally passed in 1964. The Wilderness Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-577), which established the NWPS, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964. The Wilderness Act mandated that

9085-558: The kills secondarily. Once North Pacific salmon die off after spawning, usually local bald eagles eat salmon carcasses almost exclusively. Eagles in Washington need to consume 489 g (1.078 lb) of fish each day for survival, with adults generally consuming more than juveniles and thus reducing potential energy deficiency and increasing survival during winter. Behind fish, the next most significant prey base for bald eagles are other waterbirds . The contribution of such birds to

9200-598: The largest amount of wilderness land is administered by the National Park Service. The largest contiguous wilderness complex in the United States is the Noatak and Gates of the Arctic Wildernesses in Alaska at 12,743,329 acres (5,157,042 ha). The largest wilderness area outside Alaska is the Death Valley Wilderness in southeastern California. The smallest area protected by the WPS is

9315-899: The largest subspecies ( Branta canadensis maxima ) has been reported. Other large waterbird prey include common loons ( Gavia immer ) of all ages. Large wading birds can also fall prey to bald eagles. For the great blue herons ( Ardea herodias ), bald eagles are their only serious enemies of all ages. Slightly larger Sandhill cranes ( Grus canadensis ) can be taken as well. While adult whooping cranes ( Grus americana ) are too large and formidable, their chicks can fall prey to bald eagles. They even occasionally prey on adult tundra swans ( Cygnus columbianus ). Young trumpeter swans ( Cygnus buccinator ) are also taken, and an unsuccessful attack on an adult swan has been photographed. Bald eagles have been occasionally recorded as killing other raptors . In some cases, these may be attacks of competition or kleptoparasitism on rival species but end with

9430-485: The largest true raptor ( accipitrid ) in North America. The only larger species of raptor-like bird is the California condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ), a New World vulture which today is not generally considered a taxonomic ally of true accipitrids. However, the golden eagle, averaging 4.18 kg (9.2 lb) and 63 cm (25 in) in wing chord length in its American race ( Aquila chrysaetos canadensis ),

9545-438: The law prohibits logging , mining , motorized or mechanized vehicles (including bicycles ), road-building, and other forms of development in wilderness areas, though pre-existing mining claims and grazing ranges are permitted through grandfather clauses in the Wilderness Act. Wilderness areas fall into IUCN protected area management category Ia (strict nature preserves) or Ib (wilderness areas). A special exemption to

9660-572: The list changes dramatically, as Alaska contains many of the largest areas protected under the act. In terms of total acres, Alaska , California , Arizona , Idaho , and Washington are the top five states for wilderness, containing almost 80 percent of the acreage in the system. Wilderness totals in most eastern states are modest, with the exceptions of Florida and Minnesota . Wilderness areas exist in every state except Connecticut , Delaware , Iowa , Kansas , Maryland , and Rhode Island . Most U.S. wilderness areas are in national forests, but

9775-517: The measurement from the gape to the tip of the bill is 7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 in). The bill size is unusually variable: Alaskan eagles can have up to twice the bill length of birds from the southern United States ( Georgia , Louisiana , Florida), with means including both sexes of 6.83 cm (2.69 in) and 4.12 cm (1.62 in) in culmen length, respectively, from these two areas. The call consists of weak staccato, chirping whistles, kleek kik ik ik ik , somewhat similar in cadence to

9890-556: The most significant prey species were largescale suckers ( Catostomus macrocheilus ) (17.3% of the prey selected there), American shad ( Alosa sapidissima ; 13%) and common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ; 10.8%). Eagles living in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland were found to subsist largely on American gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum ), threadfin shad ( Dorosoma petenense ) and white bass ( Morone chrysops ). Floridian eagles have been reported to prey on catfish , most prevalently

10005-623: The name was changed to Wallowa National Forest , and in 1954 the Wallowa was administratively combined with the Whitman National Forest to create the Wallowa–Whitman. The Whitman had been established on July 1, 1908, from part of the Blue Mountains National Forest . On June 20, 1920, part of Minam National Forest was added. The Eagle Cap primitive area was established in 1930. The area

10120-847: The national forest on Forest Service Road 39. Another large section of the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest is located west of La Grande and Baker City, Oregon , in the Elkhorn Mountains , a sub-range of the Blue Mountains . It borders the Malheur National Forest on the southwest and the Umatilla National Forest on the northwest. This area includes the upper reaches of the John Day and Grande Ronde rivers. The North Fork John Day and Monument Rock wildernesses are jointly managed by

10235-534: The natural fuel on the forest floor as part of its management of the forest. The land that is now the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest was first occupied by the Nez Perce people around 1400  CE . The area was the summer home of the Joseph Band of the Nez Perce tribe. The Cayuse , Shoshone and Bannock tribes arrived in the area some time later. The native people hunted deer, elk and bighorn sheep in

10350-599: The nesting trees used by eagles, followed by hemlocks ( Tsuga ) at 20%. Increasingly, eagles nest in human-made reservoirs stocked with fish. The bald eagle is usually quite sensitive to human activity while nesting, and is found most commonly in areas with minimal human disturbance. It chooses sites more than 1.2 km (0.75 mi) from low-density human disturbance and more than 1.8 km (1.1 mi) from medium- to high-density human disturbance. However, bald eagles will occasionally nest in large estuaries or secluded groves within major cities, such as Hardtack Island on

10465-567: The non-breeding seasons. They can take fish up to at least twice their own weight, such as large mature salmons , carps , or even muskellunge ( Esox masquinongy ), by dragging its catch with talons and pull toward ashore. Much larger marine fish such as Pacific halibut ( Hippoglossus stenolepis ) and lemon sharks ( Negaprion brevirostris ) have been recorded among bald eagle prey though probably are only taken as young, as small, newly mature fish, or as carrion. Benthic fishes such as catfish are usually consumed after they die and float to

10580-449: The other comes behind it in order to ambush it. While hunting waterfowl, bald eagles repeatedly fly at a target and cause it to dive repeatedly, hoping to exhaust the victim so it can be caught (white-tailed eagles have been recorded hunting waterfowl in the same way). When hunting concentrated prey, a successful catch often results in the hunting eagle being pursued by other eagles and needing to find an isolated perch for consumption if it

10695-678: The predation events are sporadic. In one instance, two bald Eagles fed upon a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) that had tried to cross a frozen Delaware Lake . Other medium-sized carnivorans such as striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ), American hog-nosed skunks ( Conepatus leuconotus ), and common raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) are taken, as well as domestic cats ( Felis catus ) and dogs ( canis familiaris ). Other wild mammalian prey include fawns of deer such as white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and Sitka deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis ), which weigh around 3 kg (6.6 lb) can be taken alive by bald eagles. In one instance,

10810-527: The prey in a strenuously labored, low flight over the water to a bank, where they then finish off and dismember the prey. When food is abundant, an eagle can gorge itself by storing up to 1 kg (2.2 lb) of food in a pouch in the throat called a crop. Gorging allows the bird to fast for several days if food becomes unavailable. Occasionally, bald eagles may hunt cooperatively when confronting prey, especially relatively large prey such as jackrabbits or herons, with one bird distracting potential prey, while

10925-403: The range of the bald eagle has increased following conservation efforts, these interactions have been observed on several occasions, including a fatality of a bald eagle in Maine that is presumed to have come about as a result of it attacking a nest, then having a fatal puncture wound inflicted by one or both loon parents. The bald eagle is thought to be much more numerous in North America than

11040-480: The rule against mechanized equipment is made for wilderness areas in Alaska : limited use of motorized vehicles and construction of cabins and aquaculture are permitted. These exemptions were allowed due to the large amount of wilderness in Alaska and the concerns of subsistence users, including Alaska Natives . Wilderness areas are parts of national parks , wildlife refuges , national forests , and BLM lands; some units are managed by different agencies. Initially,

11155-545: The same ecological niche in their respective ranges. The pair diverged from other sea eagles at the beginning of the Early Miocene (c. 10  Ma BP ) at the latest, but possibly as early as the Early/Middle Oligocene , 28 Ma BP, if the most ancient fossil record is correctly assigned to this genus . The plumage of an adult bald eagle is evenly dark brown with a white head and tail. The tail

11270-409: The south or to the coast. A number of populations are subject to post-breeding dispersal, mainly in juveniles; Florida eagles, for example, will disperse northwards in the summer. The bald eagle selects migration routes which take advantage of thermals , updrafts , and food resources. During migration, it may ascend in a thermal and then glide down, or may ascend in updrafts created by the wind against

11385-448: The southern coastal areas where mangroves are usually used. In Wyoming , groves of mature cottonwoods or tall pines found along streams and rivers are typical bald eagle nesting habitats. Wyoming eagles may inhabit habitat types ranging from large, old-growth stands of ponderosa pines ( Pinus ponderosa ) to narrow strips of riparian trees surrounded by rangeland. In Southeast Alaska , Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis ) provided 78% of

11500-575: The species increases in size further away from the equator and the tropics. For example, eagles from South Carolina average 3.27 kg (7.2 lb) in mass and 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) in wingspan, smaller than their northern counterparts. One field guide in Florida listed similarly small sizes for bald eagles there, at about 4.13 kg (9.1 lb). Of intermediate size, 117 migrant bald eagles in Glacier National Park were found to average 4.22 kg (9.3 lb) but this

11615-486: The species' status was upgraded from " endangered " to " threatened " in 1995 and removed from the list altogether in 2007. The bald eagle is placed in the genus Haliaeetus ( sea eagles ), and gets both its common and specific scientific names from the distinctive appearance of the adult's head. Bald in the English name is from an older usage meaning "having white on the face or head" rather than "hairless", referring to

11730-408: The specific recreational activity. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at some high-use trailheads. The cost is $ 30 for an annual pass or $ 5 for a day pass. The Forest Service uses the permit revenue for trail maintenance. Permits are also required for firewood cutting, Christmas tree harvesting, and mushroom gathering . A special permit is required to raft on the Snake River. The forest

11845-473: The surface, though while temporarily swimming in the open may be more vulnerable to predation than most fish since their eyes focus downwards. Bald eagles also regularly exploit water turbines which produce battered, stunned or dead fish easily consumed. Predators who leave behind scraps of dead fish that they kill, such as brown bears ( Ursus arctos ), gray wolves ( Canis lupus ) and red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ), may be habitually followed in order to scavenge

11960-436: The tree's height, composition and location. Perhaps of paramount importance for this species is an abundance of comparatively large trees surrounding the body of water. Selected trees must have good visibility, be over 20 m (66 ft) tall, an open structure, and proximity to prey. If nesting trees are in standing water such as in a mangrove swamp, the nest can be located fairly low, at as low as 6 m (20 ft) above

12075-429: The water with its talons. It builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species, up to 4 m (13 ft) deep, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide, and 1 metric ton (1.1 short tons) in weight. Sexual maturity is attained at the age of four to five years. Bald eagles are not bald ; the name derives from an older meaning of the word, "white headed". The adult

12190-498: The white head feathers contrasting with the darker body. The genus name is Neo-Latin : Haliaeetus (from the Ancient Greek : ἁλιάετος , romanized :  haliaetos , lit.   'sea eagle'), and the specific name, leucocephalus , is Latinized ( Ancient Greek : λευκός , romanized :  leukos , lit.   'white') and ( κεφαλή , kephalḗ , 'head'). The bald eagle

12305-526: The wild and are thus considered apex predators . Bald eagles are sexually mature at four or five years of age. When they are old enough to breed, they often return to the area where they were born. Bald eagles have high mate fidelity and generally mate for life . However, if one pair member dies or disappears, the survivor will choose a new mate. A pair that has repeatedly failed in breeding attempts may split and look for new mates. Bald eagle courtship involves elaborate, spectacular calls and flight displays by

12420-411: The wings. A survey of adult weights in Alaska showed that females there weighed on average 5.35 kg (11.8 lb), respectively, and males weighed 4.23 kg (9.3 lb) against immatures which averaged 5.09 kg (11.2 lb) and 4.05 kg (8.9 lb) in the two sexes. An Alaskan adult female eagle that was considered outsized weighed some 7.4 kg (16 lb). R.S. Palmer listed

12535-524: The year. This vast assortment of flora and fauna is a major consideration for addition into the wilderness preservation system. Thousands of laws and policies have helped shape and manage the National Wilderness Preservation System in the United States. The following Acts of Congress either directly affect the wilderness system or help influence wilderness management: Some state and tribal governments also designate wilderness areas under their own authority and local laws. These are not federal areas, and

12650-542: Was captured near Castleisland , County Kerry on November 15, 1987. There is also a record of it from Llyn Coron, Anglesey, in the United Kingdom, from October 17, 1978; the provenance of this individual eagle has remained in dispute. The bald eagle occurs during its breeding season in virtually any kind of American wetland habitat such as seacoasts , rivers, large lakes or marshes or other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish. Studies have shown

12765-410: Was designated as a wilderness in 1940. The Wilderness Act in 1964 placed the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Eagle Cap was enlarged by 73,410 acres (297 km) in 1972 and by an additional 67,711 acres (274 km) in 1984. Its area now totals 350,461 acres (1,418 km). The Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center and district office for the national forest,

12880-651: Was dominant prey in San Miguel Island . Due to easy accessibility and lack of formidable nest defense against eagles by such species, bald eagles are capable of preying on such seabirds at all ages, from eggs to mature adults, and they can effectively cull large portions of a colony. Along some portions of the North Pacific coastline, bald eagles which had historically preyed mainly kelp -dwelling fish and supplementally sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) pups are now preying mainly on seabird colonies since both

12995-403: Was formed to gain insight on the benefits of wilderness preservation, establish open channels of communication between international agencies, and examine the cultural differences and similarities behind preservation efforts in each country. Within the U.S. system, all of the agencies responsible for wilderness preservation will work in cooperation with their international counterparts to determine

13110-542: Was mostly (possibly post-dispersal) juvenile eagles, with 6 adults here averaging 4.3 kg (9.5 lb). Wintering eagles in Arizona (winter weights are usually the highest of the year since, like many raptors, they spend the highest percentage of time foraging during winter) were found to average 4.74 kg (10.4 lb). The largest eagles are from Alaska , where large females may weigh more than 7 kg (15 lb) and span 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in) across

13225-482: Was one of the many species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 18th-century work Systema Naturae , under the name Falco leucocephalus . There are two recognized subspecies of bald eagle: The bald eagle forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle of Eurasia . This species pair consists of a white-headed and a tan-headed species of roughly equal size; the white-tailed eagle also has overall somewhat paler brown body plumage. The two species fill

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