There are two main types of bald eagles: the American bald eagle and the European bald eagle. Both species are large birds of prey with distinctive white heads and tails, but they differ in their geographic distribution and some physical characteristics.
The American Bald Eagle
The American bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird and symbol of the United States. It is found in Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. The American bald eagle is a sea eagle, meaning it lives near water and primarily eats fish. It has a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) and can weigh up to 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms). The American bald eagle is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Subspecies of the American Bald Eagle
The American bald eagle has two subspecies:
- Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus)
- Northern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus washingtoniensis)
The European Bald Eagle
Image source: Pexels by Anrita Krause
The European bald eagle, also known as the white-tailed eagle, is found in Europe and parts of Asia. It is a larger bird than the American bald eagle, with a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) and can weigh up to 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms). The European bald eagle is also a sea eagle and primarily eats fish. It is protected by the European Union’s Birds Directive and the Bern Convention.
Subspecies of the European Bald Eagle
The European bald eagle has three subspecies:
- Western Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla albicilla)
- Eastern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla leucoryphus)
- Japanese Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla renschi)
Physical Characteristics of Bald Eagles
Bald eagles are not actually bald, but rather have a white head and tail feathers. The term “bald” is derived from an old English word “balde” which means “white.” The bald eagle’s white head and tail feathers do not appear until the bird is about four or five years old.
Conservation Status
Both the American bald eagle and the European bald eagle are protected by various laws and regulations. The American bald eagle is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, while the European bald eagle is protected by the European Union’s Birds Directive and the Bern Convention.
Conclusion
In summary, there are two main types of bald eagles: the American bald eagle and the European bald eagle. Both species are large birds of prey with distinctive white heads and tails, but they differ in their geographic distribution and some physical characteristics. The American bald eagle is found in North America, while the European bald eagle is found in Europe and parts of Asia. Both species have several subspecies and are protected by various laws and regulations.
References:
– List of Eagle Species – BirdLife International: https://www.birdlife.org/news/2009/06/24/list-eagle-species/
– Species – Eagles Of The World: https://worldeagles.org/species/
– Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles: The Types of Eagles in North America: https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/bird-species/birds-of-prey/bald-eagles-and-golden-eagles/
– Bald Eagle Frequently Asked Questions – Journey North: https://journeynorth.org/tm/eagle/ExpertAnswer08.html
– Bald eagle – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_eagle
