The bald eagle, our national bird, is a majestic and beautiful bird that can be seen throughout the United States. This bird can easily be identified by its white head and tail, brown body, and yellow beak and feet. Young bald eagles are colored all brown, but as they age, they develop the white coloring in their heads and tails.
The bald eagle was put on the Federal Endangered Species list as "endangered" on February 14, 1978. Its numbers have improved overtime and is now currently classified as “threatened”. However, the bald eagle still faces abatement due to encroachment of land development, loss of food, and other factors.
Florida has one of the largest bald eagle populations in the United States. These birds often nest in tall trees near water. In the Florida Keys, these birds sometimes nest in mangroves or even on the ground. Most bald eagles migrate, but some are known to stay in their nesting territory all year long. These birds eat mostly fish, which they snatch from the water’s surface. They will also eat small mammals, wading birds and carrion.
At our nature preserve in Orlando, we spot bald eagles all the time, as many live right on our property. Come ride an airboat at Wild Florida Airboats and see a bald eagle in its natural habitat. Call 407-957-3135 to reserve your spot on an exciting airboat adventure in Orlando!
