Bald Eagle - Physical Characteristics
BALD EAGLE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Bald Eagles are considered one of the largest raptors and since 1782, a national emblem for the United States. Adults are highly recognizable with their distinctive chocolate brown body, white head and tail feathers. They have a large head and a long, yellow, hooked beak. They also have extremely large feet that are bright yellow in appearance. Compared to other raptors, they are one of the most robust measuring between 27-37” in length.
Juvenile Bald Eagles can be a bit tricker to identify. First year Eagles have a brown body with white feathers throughout, appearing in more of a streaked pattern. Their tail is also white molt with a dark band at the tip. Second year Eagles are primarily molted with brown with some white throughout. Their tail is a bit whiter than first year Eagles.
For both, their heads and beaks are not fully developed yet so they are not the traditional white and yellow coloring. First year Eagles have a dark head with a greyish beak which can also appear black under certain lighting conditions. Second year Eagles have a dark splotchy head with dark tips on their beaks. Under the right lighting conditions, peeks of yellow can be seen.
Bald Eagles have a wingspan measuring 80.3” in length, which is quite impressive. Their wingspan is larger than the Great Blue Heron who measures 79.1”. In flight, Bald Eagles stretch out their wings like a flat board and when near tree tops, they can be heard with a slower flapping wingbeat. Bald Eagles are powerful fliers, they are typically seen soaring high in the sky, and due to their size, they are easy to spot.
Of all raptor species, Bald Eagles have a very long lifespan. They can live an average of 20-30 years. Although the predator and prey relationship exist for all species, the Bald Eagle is one at lower risk than many. They are not, however, immune to habitat loss, motor vehicles, climate change, pesticides and methane flares.
Bald Eagles are piscivores and carnivores, which means they eat fish and meat. They have a wide menu selection, and their favorite fish selections include salmon, herring and catfish. They also eat mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates such as crabs. Eagles are also known to eat carrion when available. They are opportunistic and will either seek out food as a predator or scavenge for their next meal. They are savage survivors.
Due to their dietary preferences, Bald Eagles can be found near rivers, lakes, reservoirs, coasts, and forest areas. They are also known to live in open areas and dry land, as long as there is water nearby. They are not typically seen in parks or neighborhoods as they tend to stay away from populated areas. They will, however, choose to live in nature preserves, natural open spaces as well as state parks.
In Colorado, there are several areas with a larger Eagle presence. They prefer larger bodies of water like rivers and reservoirs for hunting and nutrition as well as plenty of conifers and deciduous trees they use to perch for extended periods of time. For their size, it is also easier to hunt in these areas. They can perch high in the treetop as there are many locations that appear like runways for them to swoop down and catch their prey.
Bald Eagle Behaviors & Physical Characteristics
BALD EAGLE BEHAVIORS & PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Bald Eagles typically nest in trees, but they have been known to nest on the side of cliffs as well as the ground. If a solid tree source is available, they will use conifers that protrude above the forest canopy. This allows for flexibility in hunting and flight strategies. They will also nest in deciduous trees and mangroves.
Their nests are extremely large, ranging 5-6’ in diameter and 2-4’ in height. They are typically found between the trunk and the crown of the tree, preferably situated in the middle section providing the most stability. Depending on the support structure of the tree, their nests can be flat like a giant dog bed, or they can be cone shape like a wide mouthed snow cone.
Most Bald Eagles can find a nest site that is quite hidden from human view, as they prefer the cover of the forest canopy to aid with easy flight access and good visibility for predators as well as hunting in the area. If you do suspect a nest, the one way to tell if it’s an Eagle is by its size. They literally look large enough to hold a small human.
Bald Eagles will typically mate for life, although not all will do this. Some will go through the courtship and breeding process with a new mate annually. They do, however, return to their chosen nest site each year as long as the nest is still available, and the area is still ripe for hunting.
With mating, Bald Eagles nest for nine months of the year. Both the male and female Bald Eagle partake in the nest building activities bringing sticks and soft material like grass or moss to fill in any open areas. The bowl is typically lined with soft substances such as downy feathers or fresh leaves. The nest building and redecorating process can take up to three months to complete.
The mating ritual is quite a show to see. With their powerful flight, the male and female fly high in the air, sky dancing. One particular behavior of note is a maneuver where they fly together, lock talons, and cartwheel down locked together and at the very last moment, they let go to avoid crashing.
Once mating has taken place, the female will lay up to three eggs and incubate them for just over a month. Once hatched, it takes upwards of two to three months for the nestlings to become fledglings, where they will begin to explore their surroundings. They stumble around as fledglings for another two to three months, relying on their parents before they are ready to begin an independent lifestyle.
They are very loyal and committed to the nesting process and both the male and the female will take turns incubating eggs for the first few weeks. Both parents also take part in bringing food to the nest. They carefully prepare it and feed it to their young. As the nestlings get older, the parents will start to drop food in the nest so they can begin eating on their own.
Like all raptors in raptorland, Bald Eagles are also constantly harassed by other birds and raptors. This occurs primarily during Spring and Summer at the height of nesting season, but it can happen anytime. Eagles are mobbed by blackbirds and crows and also other raptors. For the powerful Eagle, these small annoyances are simple to stop if necessary, or they can choose to take the high road and let it roll off their back. Check out this cool Eagle vs Red-Tail video here.
It is important not to mistake a lack of engagement as a sign of weakness. The Bald Eagle is one of the most fierce and ferocious predators in the animal kingdom. Due to their savage survival skills, they are predators to other raptors, birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Eagles are willing to feast upon at least a few, if not most of the animals within each species class.
Bald Eagle - Protection and Laws
BALD EAGLE PROTECTION AND LAWS
Bald Eagles are protected by several laws in the United States. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) enacted in 1940, prohibits anyone without a permit from “taking” Bald or Golden Eagles, including their parts, such as feathers, nests or eggs. This law also protects Eagle nests during nesting and non-nesting season if an Eagle nest is disturbed and causes significant interference.
It further defines “take” as causing harm or disturbance which results in injury, decrease in productivity, interference with breeding, feeding or sheltering, nest abandonment, injury, or death due to substantial interference. Violations of this law result in fines between $100,000 - $200,000.
Bald Eagles are further protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), enacted in 1918. Although the Bald Eagle is no longer protected under the endangered species act, they are protected under the MBTA. This prohibits the “taking” of Bald and Golden eagles including nests and eggs. It also protects them from harm and disturbances. In some states, they have adopted much of the language from the BGEPA law.
The Lacey Act is the oldest on record and was passed in 1900. This act protects Bald Eagles making it a federal offense to take, possess, transport, sell or import or export their nests eggs and parts taken in violation of any state, tribal or US law. Throughout the history of the United States as well as Native American tribes, the Bald Eagle has been revered and protected.
The takeaway here is, don’t mess with an Eagle. It is ok to observe but stay mindful of their behavior. They let us know by the way they are behaving if it’s time to move along. We just need to pay attention. It is exciting to see them up close, believe me I get it, but as humans we tend to hover a bit too long. We need to be respectful of their space because we are in their home.
Another note, just because we have to get closer to see them, for Eagles it is the opposite. They have incredible eyesight and can see our eyes through our binoculars. Like our vehicle sideview mirrors, we, as humans, are the objects that appear closer than we are to the eye of an Eagle.
Bald Eagle - Symbolism
BALD EAGLE SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION
As a Spirit Animal, Bald Eagles symbolize honor, freedom, wisdom, faith, protection, vision, clarity, commitment, loyalty, strength and courage. Bald Eagles guide us develop inner strength and find our inner power. They teach us to respect ourselves and those around us, embracing freedom of thought and expression with honorable intent.
They also serve as guides through our inner world, giving us strength and courage to navigate the complex nature of the spiritual journey. From developing our spiritual practices, to discovering our faith, to releasing fears and outdated beliefs that no longer serve us, the Eagle rides high above the clouds ready to guide us on our path.
SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS
· Honor
· Freedom
· Wisdom
· Faith
· Protection
· Vision
· Clarity
· Commitment
· Loyalty
· Strength
· Courage
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS
Honor & Freedom
Bald Eagles are recognized as a national symbol of Freedom in the United States. They are the largest raptor with an impressive six feet of wingspan. This gives them the ability to soar high above the clouds, higher than any other bird. The Bald Eagle symbolizes freedom in its purest form.
With freedom, we have the ability to choose our own code of honor. We may ascribe to some of our tribal values, or we may break free from most and forge our own path. With courage, we can live our lives honoring our personal values, even under pressure.
When we are faced with difficult people or situations it is easy to let fears and doubts take over and then we misrepresent facts or become outright untruthful. It’s human nature to want to be accepted, we are social and tribal beings.
However, we must rise above the illusion of fear and let go of worrying about what others may say or do. We cannot control how people will feel or respond, we can only control our reaction and response. With inner strength, we can strive to be truthful, choosing the honorable route.
Faith & Wisdom
The Bald Eagle has an impressive lifespan, living up to 30 years. This is quite remarkable given the laws of nature. Given they are the highest-flying raptor, they are also known to perch high in the treetops. Eagles live life from an elevated vantage point and can see things others can’t. With their long life, powerful flight and perching high in the trees, they symbolize wisdom and faith.
The Eagle is powerful and can see all the things we cannot from their high vantage point. With their ability to soar above the clouds, spiritually, they connect to lessons related to faith and wisdom. They teach us to see beyond what we can see on the surface and look deeper for the answers we seek.
As we embark on the spiritual journey, we are often stuck in the thoughts and experiences of the physical world. It can be difficult to allow ourselves to open up to the possibilities of what we cannot see. Trusting and having faith is the core of this lesson.
The Bald Eagle guides us to develop inner strength, to trust ourselves that we can find a path forward through our challenges. We can rise above the fear and find the lesson the experience is trying to teach us. With this newfound wisdom we can find hope and a clear path forward for our lives. We have a deep inner knowing that all will work out as it should, and our faith grows deeper.
Protection
The Bald Eagle has an incredible wingspan and is powerful in flight. Even in the high winds, they power through, never swaying from their purpose. They can stay stable and secure in adverse conditions.
Symbolically, the Eagle represents protection. They can serve as guides for our inner world journey, offering protection while we are on the path. The journey can get tricky, and it is easy to get stuck in old memories from the past.
The Bald Eagle can guide us to retrieve the lessons from the past but release the hold of the pain. Helping us find clarity and a clear path towards the future.
Bald Eagle - Symbolism
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS CONTINUED
Vision & Clarity
Bald Eagles have powerful sight and flight. They have the ability to see more than any other raptor. Even flying high above the clouds, they see with precision onto the ground below. They can spot even the slightest disturbance within the environment beneath them.
The Bald Eagle serves as a reminder to embrace our keen sight to see beyond the immediate and perceive the bigger picture. We can soar above to the highest vantage point to discover the negative patterns holding us back from growth.
When we focus our intention on clarity, freedom and strength we can remove fears, blockages, and the relentless noise. This allows us to balance our heart and mind. When the heart and mind work together in unison, there is balance between the inner world and outer world.
Commitment & Loyalty
Typically for raptors, nesting season is just a few months long. For the Bald Eagle, they nest a total of nine months. There is a great deal of preparation, with several months of nest building, egg incubation, then, nestlings live in the nest for several months before becoming old enough to leave the nest. They remain close to their parents for several more months until they venture on their own.
They illustrate the value of commitment and loyalty. For many, commitment can be a difficult word to hear. This can present itself in relationships as well as in self-development. Staying loyal and committed to one thing often takes great courage.
Part of this is because with a commitment there is generally change. Perhaps we are dating someone, and we are happy in this untied state but suddenly they tell us they are ready for more. The same is true if we want to start a new exercise routine or spiritual practice. It involves a change in our daily routine.
It takes courage to make a commitment and stay devoted to follow it through to the end. The Bald Eagle shows us the value of loyalty as they spend nine months together, nesting and raising a family. Both parents take part in incubation and feeding, further illustrating their strong devotion.
The Bald Eagle reminds us that we can find the inner strength and courage to embrace change. We can take a leap of faith, make a commitment, set a goal, embark on a new love adventure or devote ourselves to the path. We can spread our wings and fly like an Eagle.
Strength & Courage
Bald Eagles are very diverse in their menu selection and although they prefer fish, they will also eat mammals, birds and even carrion. Bald Eagles also live in a fairly wide habitat, even in nature, there is still constant change within the environment.
Nature is powerful and fires, storms and winds can destroy habitat and nesting locations. This requires the Bald Eagle to quickly change course and find a new place to all home. As they move to new locations, they must find new hunting areas to secure their nutritional requirements.
With their ability to change and adapt to their changing circumstances, Bald Eagles illustrate strength and courage. They teach us to bravely let go of fears, doubts and outdated beliefs holding us back from growth. Guiding us to develop inner stamina and strength so we can allow change to take place in our lives.
As we embrace change, we are paving the way for transformation to occur. At times this process can be painful, but just know at the other end of the chaos is growth and rebirth. A new beginning awaits!
Bald Eagle - Spirit Animal Symbolism
SPIRIT ANIMAL
As a Spirit Animal, the Bald Eagle can guide us while we travel our spiritual journey. They offer guidance, wisdom protection while we are on the path. As we release fears, insecurities, and outdated beliefs, they teach us to embrace symbolic sight and the universal connection we share. Helping us to find the value that each person and experience has made in our lives. Guiding us to the truth and wisdom of our Soul Life Lessons.
Wisdom and Symbolic Sight
The Bald Eagle has an incredibly long lifespan and can live between 20-30 years. Given they are a wild animal living in nature, this is not a small feat. Although the Bald Eagle is one species that does not fall victim to as many predators, they do still contend with the laws of humans. With their long history on earth, they gain incredible wisdom from the experience.
Bald Eagles symbolize wisdom, strength and inner power. They guide us to develop inner strength and stamina while on our path. They teach us that with each experience we are given another opportunity to learn, grow and evolve spiritually.
When we are faced with an adverse situation, whether that is an event, situation or within our personal relationships, it can be difficult to let go of the event that transpired. We get stuck in the mindset of “how could this person do that to me,” or “why is this life altering event happening to me”; we get stuck in the why me mentality.
It can be difficult to break free from these negative thought patterns as they continuously play on a loop in our minds. We need to recognize at the core, they are just fears, insecurities, and negative belief patterns. Although they feel Eagle size, they truly are smaller than a Gnat when in proper context.
The Bald Eagle reminds us that we possess the inner power, strength, and wisdom to break free from the fears plaguing our minds. When we embark on the journey within, we become self-aware of our thoughts and behaviors that hold us back from healing and growth.
In doing so, we begin to embrace our experiences, and the people connected to us symbolically. We can release ourselves from the “why me” mentality and view our experiences for the lessons they are teaching us.
Symbolic perception requires asking ourselves questions like, what is this experience here to teach me? What is the lesson? When we view experiences in this way, we cast aside blame, judgement, and our need to control the outcome.
We have the ability to see how our own actions/inactions and our choices or lack of choice created our own reality. We can release the hold the past has over us and embrace the lesson, apply the knowledge, find freedom to live a balanced more peaceful life.
Honor, Strength and Courage
Bald Eagles symbolize freedom, honor, strength, courage, and wisdom. They can fly higher than any other bird and also have precise vision, giving them the freedom to see all that is within the physical world. From the higher vantage point, they can clearly see what we cannot.
With their connection to freedom, they also symbolize honor. The Bald Eagle teaches us how to honor ourselves and those around us.
When faced with a difficult person or situation it is easy to blame, judge, and fall into woundology behavior patterns. If we do not agree with someone it is a natural instinct for many to defend their position. When the other person fails to see our side or we refuse to give an inch, this can cause further damage as we tend to get frustrated or angry.
When we choose this route, we are ultimately choosing fear over faith. When we let our fears take hold, we slip into our shadow sides. We cause damage in our relationships, careers, and hinder our ability to learn, grow and heal.
We gain insight into ourselves through our relationships and experiences. Whether they are positive or negative, active or passive, each person that comes into our lives is there to teach us lessons for growth on our journey.
When we get to the root cause of our inner struggles, we can find the lesson the experience is trying to teach us. At the core, we may be acting out because we are miserable in a relationship or dissatisfied with our job. When we ignore these signs, we allow ourselves to remain stuck in these situations.
We tend to be resistant to change because we are creatures of habit, so we cling on to people or situations that are no longer right for us. When we begin to let our fears take hold, we are unable to clearly see that the lesson being presented is to evaluate our current circumstances.
Some questions we can ask ourselves are: How does this situation or person make me feel? Do they value freedom of expression, freedom of thought and openness to the differences in others? Do they value honesty and act ethically? If not, then you should consider this your “change notice.” It’s time to move on from those people or situation.
If we allow ourselves to stay in a situation such as this, out of fear, we will continue to be miserable and stagnate. We will continue to experience spirit and soul loss. This can also lead to physical illness if left unchecked.
The Bald Eagle teaches us to embrace change with strength, and courage. We have the inner strength to free ourselves from the past holding us back from progress and growth. The inner world journey is not always an easy one, but the freedom that is experienced letting go of the baggage from the past is liberating. It is worth any momentary discomfort that is felt along the way.
As we embark on the journey within, we build inner strength and resilience and as we find ourselves in difficult situations and the other party chooses control, blame or judgement, we can maintain our center. We can view the situation symbolically and look within, holding firm in the truth that every person and experience is put on our path to teach us our Soul Life Lessons.
Bald Eagle - Totem & Power Animal Symbolism
TOTEM ANIMAL
For those born under the Bald Eagle totem, they are strong willed, grounded, disciplined, wise, loyal, honorable, and brave. They are also adventurous and savor each day like it’s the last, making sure to spread their wings and fly with every available opportunity.
For Eagle people, they are focused and direct in their interactions with others. They speak with purpose and generally do not like to waste time on idle chatter. They are very driven, and their intense focus serves them well in career and school settings with tasks, goals and projects.
They are also very honorable. They take great pride in living a life of integrity and virtue. Eagle people are strong in that the high road can also be a lonely road. With so many riddled with fears and doubts, desperate to survive, judgment and rejection often fall into their path.
Those under the Eagle totem take great pride in staying grounded both physically, emotionally and spiritually. They are courageous and brave, and they keep a clear head in the face of adversity. They face their fears had on and quell them so they can find a clear path forward to a resolution.
POWER ANIMAL
As a Power animal, the Bald Eagle is a powerful ally on our journey, guiding us to find clarity, focus, strength, and courage. They can serve as a spiritual guide on our inner world journey, helping us discover the hidden wisdom from our past, guiding us to live fully in the present, while preparing for our future.
Clarity and Focus
At times we are faced with challenging circumstances. Maybe our car broke down or we are nervous about an upcoming job interview. It is easy to get stuck in the thoughts of what if and how will I do this, making it difficult to find a clear path forward.
The Bald Eagle is a powerful representation of clarity, focus, strength and wisdom. With their powerful sight, they can guide us to clear our mind and let go of the thoughts that are not serving the situation. With clarity, we can focus on the matter at hand and find a solution. Each time we overcome a challenge we build inner strength and wisdom from the experience.
Inner World Journey
The Bald Eagle can serve as an ally on our path through our inner landscape. They guide us through the complexities of our past to retrieve the memories causing fear and pain in our lives. As we work through our wounds, we can find the courage to release the hold they have over us. As we do so we make space in our mental and emotional landscape, and we can embrace the present moment.
As we shed old behaviors and beliefs and begin to live in this truth, the Eagle can help guide us to discover our future path. With their ability to soar higher than any other bird, they have the powerful energy of the Divine and when our intentions are honorable and pure of heart, they will lead us exactly where we need to go. All we have to do is trust and follow.
Bald Eagle - Historic, Cultural, Religious Symbolism
Native American
In Native American spiritual tradition, Bald Eagles are highly regarded and seen as sacred creatures. In many traditions, they represent wisdom, courage and bravery.
The feathers of a Bald Eagle are also symbolic, representing honor and respect. These feathers have been used in healing and awarded to those who fought great battles. It is said that the Bald Eagle feather carries the essence of their soul.
There are still many Native American tribes today that have the permits necessary to possess Eagle feathers. They are used with honor in rituals and cultural practices.
Celtic
In Celtic spiritual traditions, the Bald Eagle symbolizes connection to the spiritual realm. With their ability to soar high in the sky and their wingspan being one of the largest, they guide and protect traveling souls into the next phase of their journey. Bald Eagles are also seen as a direct connection to the Divine and the source of spiritual wisdom and guidance.
Ancient Egypt
In Egyptian spiritual traditions, with their soaring height, clear sight and broad wings, the Bald Eagle symbolizes strength, protection and guardianship. In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Eagle symbolizes the essence of the soul and life representing the soul’s journey in the afterlife.
Far Eastern
In many Far Eastern spiritual traditions, the Bald Eagle symbolizes good luck, fortune and commitment. They are often used in imagery with their wings extended, facing forward to depict the good fortune that lies ahead. With their enormous wingspan, they are also seen as protectors and are frequently used as amulets to protect people and their spaces.
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