Bald Eagle

The official bird of the United States soars above the trees and homes at Key Marco.
Bald Eagles feast mainly on fish and seize their prey from the water by utilizing their strong talons.

These magnificent birds use large sticks, Spanish moss, grass, and leaves to build huge nests (up to 9 feet wide) in tall trees. They often use the same nest for many years.

Bald Eagles form long-term bonds with their mates, pairing-up for many years. If one member of the pair dies, the survivor does choose a new mate. Florida Bald Eagles mate in the winter, laying their eggs between late November and early February. They typically migrate north during the summer.

The young eagles are a chocolate brown color with some patches of white on their tails, bellies, and wing-linings. They don’t achieve their white head and tail feathers until they are four years old. They lose all of their immature plumage by their sixth year.

There are more than 3,000 Bald Eagles in Florida.

Statistics:
Size: 28-38 inches
Wingspan: up to 80 inches
Color: Brown wings, white head