Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Embedded Files
Present: Year Round
Present: Year Round
Visual Identification
Visual Identification
Bald Eagles are large, broad-winged and large billed raptors with brown bodies, except their tails and heads, which are white. Their legs are yellow. Juveniles have a speckled appearance, black and white splotches covering their body. Juveniles Also have dark bills and occasionally dark feet, ranging from brown to deep yellow.
Voice
Voice
They make harsh KEEE,yerrs (like Gulls), usually given in volleys. They are mostly silent however.
Habitat
Habitat
They are mostly seen in open areas with streams. In southwest Arlington they are mostly seen in the sky, nowhere near any moist areas with large fish.
Behavior
Behavior
Not much is known about their behavior, except for the fact that they are frequently mobbed by crows!
Comparisons
Comparisons
Osprey
Ospreys are very similar to eagles in coloration and size, but note that they have a completely white underside unlike all Bald Eagle ages. their wings are also white with dark edges and a dark crescent on the edge of the underwing feathers, also unlike the eagles.
Where and When to see them
Where and When to see them
They are infrequently seen above Route 50 next to Arlington Forest Park. They are also seen above that area. On hot days they might find an open area (such as a soccer field) with sprinklers to bathe in. This has been observed once at Bluemont Park.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse