Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

First day sat outside

Murphy' was a new addition to the centre for 2007. He was hatched in captivity in the UK in April 2007. It will take 5-6 years for him to develop his full mature plumage

with the characteristic white head and tail.

We now have a female Bald Eagle (23/11/07). Also bred in 2007, 'Ellie' will be trained alongside 'Murphy'. She is the largest eagle we house at the centre.

They will be trained over the coming months and will hopefully be used on Experience Days and for Outside Events.

IN THE WILD

Origin: North America and Canada and northern parts of Mexico.

Diet: Prefers fish (live and dead) and carrion, but also catches birds (mainly waterfowl and seabirds) and to lesser extent, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.

SPECIES FACTFILE

LENGTH: 70-90cm

WINGSPAN: 180-230cm

WEIGHT: 2.5 - 6.3 kg

EGGS IN CLUTCH: 2-3

Habitat: Breeds near water: coasts, estuaries, rivers, lakes with preference for areas with large trees overlooking water. In winter, usually near water but also in forests and even desert-like areas.

The birds in more northern parts of their range migrate and during the winter can occur in large communal roosts in tall trees in wind-protected valleys.

The Bald Eagle is the U.S national emblem. The British equivalent is the slightly larger White-tailed Sea Eagle which has been reintroduced to the western isles of Scotland since 1975.