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• Bald eagles were named not because it was bald, but for their distinctive pure white head, neck and tail. In fact, its scientific name - Haliaeetus leucocephalus - is Latin for "white headed sea eagle."
• These birds are big - averaging between 27 to 35 inches tall with a 71-90- inch wingspan; females are slightly larger than their male counterparts.
• Bald eagles tend to nest near lakes, rivers and other waterways on the tops of tall trees. The same nests are used every year with moss and twigs added when necessary. Nests are known to be quite large, some weighing almost 4,000 pounds.
• Before the recovery program began in 1985, these majestic birds had not nested in Indiana since 1897.
• The life expectancy of wild eagles is around 30 years, but those held in captivity have lived up to 50 years.
• Bald eagles' eyesight is quite impressive; they have eight times more resovling power than humans and can locate prey up to two miles away.
• Though their keen eyesight is key to finding prey, it is their razor sharp, hook-like talons that capture and kill their meal.
• In normal flight, eagles fly anywhere between 20 - 60 miles per hour. When diving for prey, they can obtain speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
• Bald eagles are unique to North America. All U.S. states except Hawaii are home to these great birds and Alaska is the only one that has never had them listed as endangered or threatened.