Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

It's pretty hard to miss seeing a bald eagle flying through the sky. Even at a distance, its size with a white head and tail are readily identified. Immature eagles are dark brown, gradually showing white on their head and tail each year. They reach adult plumage at 5 years. Eagles may reach 1 m in length, have a wingspan of 2 to 2.5 m and weigh 3 to 5.5 kg.

Fish is the main food in an eagle's diet. They will also eat the carrion of almost any dead animal.

Uncommon in many parts of North America, this bird of prey can be found throughout Nova Scotia, particularly around the larger lakes in Cape Breton. To re-establish the bald eagle to the eastern seaboard of the United States, young eagles from Nova Scotia have been relocated to New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Bald eagle nests are massive structures. Eagles use the same nest year after year. Their nests are usually near the top of tall trees overlooking large rivers, lakes or coastal area.

Nesting starts in late March, with 1 to 3 eggs laid in April. Both parents bring food to the nest, but the female usually feeds it to the young.

Bald eagles usually migrate south; those living in Cape Breton during the summer may move to mainland Nova Scotia and those birds living around Shubenacadie could move to the Yarmouth area.

Eagles and other birds of prey in the Park have been injured and cannot be returned to their natural habitat.