| Actual Image
Bald Eagle (28)
sergegagne
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 150 W: 1 N: 136]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (401) | The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is an enormous bird. Haliaeetus denotes "sea eagle," and leucocephalus refers to its white head. The wings, wide and long for soaring, span more than 2 m. When perched, the bird measures about 76 cm tall. Weights of over 7 kg are not uncommon. On average, females are larger than males, and juveniles are larger but lighter in weight than adults of the same sex. Bald Eagles that breed in the southern United States are smaller than those that breed farther north.
Males and females have identical plumage. Adults have a dark brown (almost black) body that contrasts sharply with the white feathers on the head and tail, and the yellow beak, eyes, and legs. It takes a young Bald Eagle four or five years to achieve this distinctive coloration. Until then, bird watchers may confuse it with other birds, such as the Turkey Vulture and Golden Eagle.
To kill and handle prey, Bald Eagles have massive beaks, large talons, and oversized feet equipped with small spikes, called spicules.
The majestic Bald Eagle is Canada’s largest bird of prey. One of 59 species of eagles in the world, the Bald Eagle is one of two eagles in North America (the other is the Golden Eagle) and the only exclusively North American eagle.
Bald Eagles can see three or four times farther than people, an obvious advantage to a bird that hunts and scavenges. They probably hear about as well as humans do, but their senses of taste and smell are poorly developed.
This individual has been adopted by the Ecomuseum. My note is composed of extracts from the monograph on the Bald Eagle which can be found at a beautiful Web site from the government of Canada called Hinterland Who’s Who.
Photographic notes
Image captured on January 1st at 2:07 pm
Light on the subject coming from the Sun at it’s left (West)
ISO 400
Focal lenght : 600 mm (300 mm with 2X converter)
RAW format saved in JPEG at TN size |
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