The bald eagle often evokes an image of a fierce hunter soaring through the skies. A common question arises regarding its dietary habits: does this iconic bird primarily hunt its prey, or does it resort to scavenging? Understanding a bald eagle’s feeding behaviors reveals a complex and adaptable creature that employs various strategies to secure its meals.
Primary Hunting Strategies
Bald eagles are skilled predators. Their eyesight is exceptionally sharp, estimated to be four to eight times stronger than that of an average human. This allows them to spot a small target, such as a rabbit, from up to a mile away. Their eyes also feature two foveae, providing both forward and side vision with clarity, alongside excellent depth perception for hunting and navigation.
Fishing is the primary method of food acquisition for bald eagles. They locate fish near the water’s surface from a high perch or during flight, then swoop down, extending their talons to snatch the prey. These talons are curved and sharp, designed for gripping and holding slippery fish, aided by rough bumps on their toes. While they prefer fish, their diet also includes waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, and small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, and muskrats. Bald eagles also demonstrate cooperative hunting techniques, with pairs sometimes working together to flush out prey, increasing their hunting efficiency.
Opportunistic Feeding Habits
Despite their prowess as hunters, bald eagles are highly opportunistic feeders, readily consuming carrion, which is the decaying flesh of dead animals. This scavenging behavior becomes particularly important during colder months or when live prey is scarce. They will feed on a variety of dead animals, including roadkill deer or elk, washed-up marine life like seals, and even discarded remains from fish-processing plants. This willingness to scavenge helps them conserve energy that would otherwise be spent on hunting.
Bald eagles also engage in kleptoparasitism, which is the act of stealing food from other animals. They are known to harass other birds, particularly ospreys, until the smaller raptor drops its catch, allowing the eagle to retrieve the stolen meal. This behavior is a common food-gathering method, especially when fish are harder to obtain. While scavenging and kleptoparasitism are important parts of their diet, especially in certain seasons or locations, bald eagles remain active hunters. Fish usually comprise over half of their overall food intake.