Classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassAves
- OrderFalconiformes
- FamilyAccitridae
- GenusHaliaeetus
- SpeciesH. leucocephalus
- Lifespan20 to 30 years in the wild (banding record 38 years)
- Size6-7.5 foot wingspan; weight: 8-14 pounds; 30-37 inches tall
- Offspring1 to 3 eggs
- Speed35-40 mph
- StatusNH Federal Status: Not listed; Bald eagles are legally protected in New Hampshire. Possession and take (which includes harming, harassing, injuring and killing) is illegal.
Our Bald Eagles
Name(s)
Jackson
Origin
Was found in Jackson, Wyoming, in 2024 as a juvenile eagle exhibiting neurological symptoms. Juvenile bald eagles do not yet have the distinctive white feathers on their heads and tails that adults display. She was brought to the Teton Raptor Center for treatment and diagnosed with a deep inner ear infection caused by parasites, which affected her balance and flight ability.
Why She's Here
Although Jackson’s neurological symptoms improved, permanent damage to her inner ear prevented her from flying. She was deemed non-releasable and transferred to the Science Center in July 2025.
How You Can Help
Support licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers and report injured raptors to trained professionals. Protect eagle habitats by keeping waterways clean and avoiding disturbance near nest sites.
Name(s)
Cody
Origin
Found in 2012 near Cody, Wyoming, as a young eagle with severe mercury poisoning causing neurological difficulties and the inability to sustain flight.
Why She's Here
Cody was about two years old when she arrived at the Science Center in 2013. Due to her condition and limited flight abilities, she cannot be released back into the wild.
How You Can Help
Mercury in the environment comes largely from human activities such as fossil fuel burning and waste incineration. Support efforts to reduce mercury pollution in ecosystems and protect the habitats of wild eagles by keeping waterways clean.
Bald Eagle Fun Facts
- The name “bald” comes from the Middle English word, “balled,” meaning “shining white.”
- The Eagle’s scientific name, Haliaeetus leuocephalus, means “sea eagle with white head.”
- In 1787 the Bald Eagle was officially adopted as our national symbol.
- In 1976 the Bald Eagle was put on the endangered species list, mainly due to problems with the pesticide, DDT which caused thin egg shells.
- By 2007, recovery was successful enough to remove the Bald Eagle from the federal endangered and threatened species list. Still listed as threatened on the NH state endangered and threatened species list.
Bald Eagle FAQs
What are tips for recognizing a Bald Eagle in the wild?
Adults are relatively easy to spot with white heads and tails, brownish to black bodies and bright yellow eyes, bill and feet. If you see a pair, the larger one is always the female! Immature Bald Eagles are well camouflaged with dark brown head, tail and body as well as white blotches on the underside of the wings. Young eagles don’t molt into adult plumage until four or five years of age. When soaring, Bald Eagles hold their wings level with their body (rather than the upward tilt of the Turkey Vulture). Their call is a squealing cackle, similar to a gull.
Where are Bald Eagles found?
Bald Eagles range target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Hampshire Fish & Game New Hampshire had 59 territorial pairs of bald eagles during the 2017 summer breeding season. Of those, 38 of the pairs were successful at fledging a total of 59 young.Between 1988 when bald eagles first began nesting again in NH and 2017, a total of 427 bald eagle chicks have fledged from nests located across the state. In 2017, the bald eagle was removed from the state threatened and endangered species list due to their tremendous recovery.
What do Bald Eagles eat?
Their prey is primarily fish, although Bald Eagles will feed on muskrats, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl and carrion. Sometimes they will pursue and steal fish from Osprey.
What about nesting behavior and raising young?
Bald Eagles become sexually mature at four or five years of age and breed from March until May. Both male and female build the nest and add new nesting material to last year’s nest every spring. Nests are used perennially. Nests are usually built in treetops and can be seven to eight feet across, constructed of sticks with a lining of soft materials like grasses or moss. Two and sometimes 3 eggs are laid a few days apart in March to May, with an incubation period of about 35 days. If food supply is limited the chicks compete with each other and the strongest, usually the oldest, survive. In approximately 72 to 75 days the chicks fledge (take their first flight).