Eagles
With forested mountains and glacial lakes, the greater Yellowstone area is home to many magnificent birds of prey. Of these birds, the eagle draws much of the attention. Both golden eagles and bald eagles inhabit the Yellowstone area. more info
Bald Eagle in Flight
© Wild by Nature Gallery
The golden eagle is primarily a mountain bird and is commonly found in western America. Thousands of Golden Eagles can be found in the Alberta, Canada region through the Rocky Mountains. However, unlike the Bald Eagle, Golden Eagles can be found all over the world. Golden Eagles feed on rabbits and large rodents such as prairie dogs and ground squirrels. To identify a golden eagle, look for an eagle with dark feathers and bright gold on the back of its head. Golden Eagles also have smaller heads, bills, and necks than the bald eagle. The tail of a golden eagle is longer than the tail of a bald eagle.
Bald eagles, our national bird and symbol of freedom, is only found in North America. Bald Eagles are mainly found near bodies of water such as lakes, wetlands, rivers, and coastlines. Unlike golden eagles, bald eagles feed primarily on fish. They are also known to eat smaller birds as well as rodents. Bald eagles are easily identified by their gleaming white heads and brownish black bodies. The bald eagle is one of America's largest birds with a legnth of 32 inches and wingspan of 81 inches.
Both the Golden Eagle and the Bald Eagle are perfectly built for hunting. They have very sharp vision and can spot small animals in the grass from up to a mile away. Eagles can see in much finer detail than humans can. The eyes of eagles have five times as many light-sensitive cells than the eyes of humans. Eagles are also equipped with sharp, curved talons used for grasping prey. Their hooked beaks are used to tear food apart.
The Bald Eagle was classified as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Since then, DDT (a dangerous chlorinated hydrocarbon chemical knownto thin eggshells) has been banned and the number of Bald Eagles inhibiting Yellowstone National Park has soared. In 1995 the status of the Bald Eagle was changed from 'endangered' to 'threatened' due to their population increase. In 2003, 32 pairs of Bald Eagles were found in Yellowstone -- more than ever recorded before.
The most popular spot for viewing bald eagles in Yellowstone National Park is Yellowstone Lake. About 60 percent of the Park's Bald Eagles live near there, although they are starting to inhabit all corners of the Park.
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