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Step 1
Learn where you'll find a Bald Eagle. During the summer months, Bald Eagles live and breed throughout Canada and Alaska, as well as in scattered areas throughout the lower 48 United States. They live near bodies of water in forested areas in the summer. In the winter, Bald Eagles nest throughout the lower 48 United States and in coastal parts of Canada and Alaska. You can spot Bald Eagles in the winter near rivers, unfrozen lakes and coastlines
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Step 2
Observe the Bald Eagle's distinctive appearance. The white head and brown body is characteristic of the Bald Eagle. Bald Eagles also have white fan to wedge shaped tails that are fairly long. Their bills are yellow, thick and hooked, and their brown wings are long and broad. Bald Eagles also have yellow feet and legs that have no feathers. Juvenile Bald Eagles have white and brown splotchy colored bodies. Adult males and females look similar.
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Step 3
Marvel at the size of this large raptor. Bald Eagles range in size from 71 to 96 cm in length and from 3000 to 6300 g in weight. They have wingspans ranging from 183 to 244 cm. Adult female Bald Eagles are larger than adult males.
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Step 4
Listen for the sounds of the Bald Eagle. These sounds resemble those of a gull with very high-pitched cackles, whistles and squeals.
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Step 5
Watch the Bald Eagle's flight pattern. During flight, the Bald Eagles hold their wings flat and out to the sides. Bald Eagles fly with deep wing beats that alternate with glides. Often, Bald Eagles are seen soaring high overhead. During mating in the summer months, Bald Eagles have been known to do elaborate stunts during flight such as cartwheels.
