Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalos)

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The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalos) is a resident raptor of the NWT. The pure white head, neck and tail of the adult bird distinguish it from all other raptors in the NWT. Immature bald eagles are dark brown with varying amounts of white on the head, neck and tail. Bald eagles are similar in size to golden eagles (75-108 cm tall) and require four years to achieve adult plumage.

Bald eagles over-winter in southern Canada and the USA, frequently concentrating in large numbers along spawning salmon streams. In the NWT, bald eagles frequent the forested lake country.

The nest of a bald eagle is built with large sticks, usually in a tall tree near water and is used for many years. The nest site is known as an eyrie.

Two eggs are laid in April. The adults are opportunistic feeders and supply their young a varied diet ranging from fresh fish (caught by the adult or stolen from an osprey or fisherman) to hares and carrion. One or two young are fledged after 77 days in the nest.