The bald eagle, a prominent symbol of strength and freedom, holds a significant place in many cultures. Its image frequently adorns national emblems and appears in various forms of media, often depicted with a powerful and piercing cry. This widespread portrayal has shaped public perception of what this majestic bird sounds like in the wild. However, the reality of the bald eagle’s vocalizations often differs from these popular portrayals.
The True Sounds of the Bald Eagle
Bald eagles do not produce the dramatic, piercing scream often heard in films and television. Instead, their actual vocalizations are surprisingly less imposing and more varied. Adult bald eagles typically emit a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes. These sounds are sometimes described as chirps, giggles, or even a snickering laugh.
One common vocalization is the “peal call,” a high-pitched, prolonged sound often compared to the cry of a gull. This call usually consists of three to five initial notes followed by a rapid sequence of six or seven additional notes. Another frequent sound is the “chatter call,” which involves three to four introductory notes followed by a quick succession of descending notes.
Dispelling the Hollywood Myth
The misconception about bald eagle vocalizations stems from their portrayal in media. Filmmakers and sound editors frequently substitute the actual calls of bald eagles with the more dramatic and powerful scream of another bird: the red-tailed hawk. This substitution is common because the red-tailed hawk’s piercing shriek is perceived as more intimidating and fitting for a large bird of prey than the bald eagle’s relatively softer sounds.
This creative license has led many to mistakenly associate the hawk’s call with the bald eagle. What audiences often hear as an eagle’s cry is, in fact, the distinct vocalization of a red-tailed hawk, a smaller but vocally potent raptor.
Understanding Bald Eagle Communication
Bald eagle vocalizations serve several important purposes in their natural environment, facilitating various aspects of their social behavior and survival. One primary function is general communication and maintaining contact between individuals, especially mates. For instance, males use a high-pitched peal call as a defense mechanism, signaling the approach of other birds or humans near their territory or feeding sites.
Female bald eagles produce a soft, high-pitched, repeated call when they are ready to mate, a sound described as unique in nature. Younger eagles also have distinct calls; nestlings use cheeping or chirping sounds to beg for food from their parents and to signal alarm. As juveniles mature, they develop their own versions of the peal and wail calls, often resembling gull cries. These diverse vocalizations help eagles establish and defend nesting sites, alert others to potential threats, and coordinate activities within their pairs and communities.