The bald eagle, with its striking appearance and powerful presence, holds a prominent place as a national symbol. Its image often conjures a sense of majesty and freedom, frequently accompanied by a piercing, commanding cry in popular media. However, the actual vocalizations of this impressive raptor can be quite different from what is commonly imagined.
The True Voice of the Bald Eagle
Despite its large size, the bald eagle produces vocalizations often described as weak. Its primary call is a series of high-pitched whistles, chirps, or piping notes. Some observers compare the sound to a reedy cackle or even a snickering laugh. This characteristic chatter usually consists of seven to eight quick, somewhat abrupt notes.
Birds produce sounds using an organ called the syrinx, located at the junction of their trachea and bronchi, near the entrance to the lungs. Unlike the vocal cords in mammals, the syrinx in birds, including bald eagles, has elastic membranes that are vibrated by air passing through, allowing for a range of vocalizations. This common chatter call serves as a primary form of communication.
Why You Hear a Different Sound in Media
The powerful, dramatic scream frequently associated with bald eagles in films, television shows, and other media is almost universally the distinct cry of a red-tailed hawk. This substitution occurs because the red-tailed hawk’s call is more imposing and fitting for a majestic bird of prey. In contrast, the bald eagle’s actual high-pitched and sometimes chirpy vocalizations sound less impressive to a general audience.
Hollywood sound editors often opt for the more dramatic red-tailed hawk scream to enhance the power and grandeur of the eagle on screen. The red-tailed hawk’s call is loud, piercing, and widely recognized, making it an effective sound effect. This common practice has led to a widespread misconception about what bald eagles truly sound like.
Beyond the Primary Call
Beyond their typical chatter, bald eagles employ a variety of other vocalizations, each serving different communicative purposes. For instance, nestlings produce single-note tonal peeps shortly after hatching, which evolve into cheeping calls used for begging food or signaling alarm to adults. As they mature, young eagles develop wail and peal calls, with the peal call sometimes described as a high-pitched cry resembling a gull.
Adult eagles also use specialized calls in specific contexts. Males may emit a high-pitched peal as a defensive mechanism, signaling the approach of humans or other birds, particularly around nests or communal feeding sites. Female bald eagles have a soft, high-pitched call, repeated multiple times, which indicates their readiness to mate. These diverse vocalizations contribute to their social structure and territorial defense.