Lloyd Photography

Updated 7-26-09

Bald Eagles are much more common in Alaska than in most parts of the country. With a wing span of 7 ½ feet and weighting between 8 and 14 pounds the Bald Eagle is the largest raptor that stays in Alaska year round. As with other raptors the female is larger than the male.

Alaska has the largest population of eagles estimated at 30 thousand. Most stay year round but part of the population goes further south for the winter.

The Bald Eagle takes 5 years to reach sexual maturity and attain their distinctive white heads and tails in there fourth to fifth year.

Bald Eagles food preference is fish but they will eat waterfowl and carrion.

With fish in mind the eagles build nests along the coast, near lakes and rivers that host a population of salmon. Eagles tend to use the same nest site year after year and begin the rebuilding process in March and will have eggs in the nest by May. Most lay 2 eggs and occasionally 3. Some of these nests are huge weighting in the several hundreds of pound range.

Giving Me The Look