Bald eagles are apex predators with a strong connection to aquatic environments. Their presence often indicates a healthy ecosystem where fish are abundant. They primarily rely on fish as their main food source. Their hunting prowess and keen eyesight make them efficient foragers in various water bodies across their range.
The Eagle’s Aquatic Menu: Key Fish Species
Bald eagles consume a wide variety of fish, with specific species depending on their geographic location and seasonal availability. In the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, salmon and trout are particularly significant, especially during spawning seasons when these fish are plentiful and easier to catch. All species of salmon are important, with pink salmon being a major food source for nesting eagles in Southeast Alaska. Other commonly consumed fish include herring, flounder, and eulachon.
Eagles often target fish that are easier to capture, such as those swimming near the surface, or those that are sick, injured, or already deceased. They typically prefer fish weighing between 1 to 3 pounds, though they are capable of taking larger fish up to 10 pounds.
Hunting Grounds and Techniques
Bald eagles primarily hunt in areas with large, open water bodies, including lakes, rivers, coastal areas, and estuaries. Shallow waters are particularly favored as they make fish detection and capture more efficient. These birds can often be seen perched on tall trees near shorelines, surveying the water for potential prey.
Their primary hunting technique involves swooping down from a perch or while soaring, snatching fish from the water’s surface with their powerful talons. Their talons are curved and have rough bumps, which help them grip slippery fish. Bald eagles are also known for kleptoparasitism, a behavior where they steal fish from other birds, such as ospreys, or even from mammals. This opportunistic strategy allows them to acquire food with less energy expenditure.
Beyond Fish: A Balanced Diet
While fish constitute the majority of a bald eagle’s diet, these birds are opportunistic feeders and will consume other prey when available. Fish can make up anywhere from 56% to 90% of their diet, depending on the region.
Beyond fish, their diet can include small mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and prairie dogs. They also prey on various birds, including waterfowl like ducks and geese. Reptiles, such as turtles and snakes, are occasionally consumed. Carrion, or dead animals, also forms an important part of their diet, particularly during winter months when other food sources might be scarce.