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|  The magnificent Haliaeetus leucocephalis, "white-headed sea eagle," or bald eagle is 27 to 35 inches tall with a 71-90- inch wingspan.
Active flight is with slow, powerful wingbeats. They soar and glide usually on flat wings. Bald eagles have a noticeable, unusual flight behavior of banking and flapping their wings vigorously while vertical.
The bald eagle received its name from the distinctive pure white head, neck and tail. Adults also have a brown-black body and a large yellow bill. Adult males and females look the same, however the female is larger.
Juveniles are mostly dark brown, except for blotchy white underneath and on the wing linings, but gain a little more white at each molt, taking four to five years to reach the full adult plumage.
Bald eagles are usually found near lakes and rivers where they can prey on their favorite food, fish. They also take a variety of other prey including waterfowl, regularly eat carrion, dead animals, and will steal food from other raptors.
Bald eagles have a 35-day incubation period and will leave the nest at about ten weeks old.
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