See all posts in the Birds of Carver County series

The Mdewakanton Sioux term for the Bald Eagle is anukasan, which translates to “white on both sides.” The scientific name is Haliaeetus leucocephalus, which means white-headed sea eagle in Greek. Our popular name “bald eagle” is derived from the old English word “balde” which meant white headed. Different words, similar meanings, but an unmistakably impressive bird.

Almost three feet tall with a wingspan of six to seven feet, the bald eagle grabs our attention as it soars over our rivers or sits at the top of a lakeside tree. The adults are impressive with a distinct white head, a large yellow beak and a white fanned tail. Juveniles take up to five years to gain their mature plumage, while before that, they show various amounts of white under-wings feathers, and on their bellies and tails. 

Bald eagles are aerial masters and use their large plank-shaped wings to ride warm air thermals and move quickly across the sky or spin casual circles that give us more time for pleasant viewing. In Carver County, the best chance of seeing them pass overhead is from March through May, as the eagles that did not stay for the winter travel north.

Bald eagles soar a lot because they are opportunistic feeders. They have menus that unfold into many parts – fresh, frozen or carrion. Their food can be fish, meat, fowl, reptiles or amphibians. Food that is being carried by other birds is an advertisement for pursuit. Bald eagles may commit food piracy against other eagles, ospreys, herons and other creatures that have limited defensive capabilities. Waterbirds like coots, ducks and geese may gather in groups for a sense of security, but a diving, hungry eagle can create panic and opportunity. However, bald eagles themselves present attractive targets for smaller birds to mob them and chase them away, despite the size difference.

In earlier decades of the 20th century, bald eagles had a more hazardous relationship with our species. They were thought to be predators affecting farmers and were hunted. After being protected by laws, they still had to survive our use of DDT insecticide that concentrated its toxicity up the food chain. Since 1980, their recovery enabled us to be proud of our conservation efforts and see them soaring on any given day of the year in Carver County. The Landscape Arboretum lists the bald eagle as “common” in all seasons and the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge (encompassing an area along the Minnesota River) lists the same status and confirms the species as “nesting.” 

Females are 25 percent larger than males. In their breeding season, we can sometimes observe a courtship action called a cartwheel display. Two eagles may lock their talons and fall toward the ground and (hopefully) separate before crashing. However, unless it happens to be Valentine’s Day, it will be hard for us to determine if this encounter was friendly or a fight for supremacy or territory.

Outside of breeding season, bald eagles have social interactions in common roosting areas. In Carver County, we can sometimes see several eagles perched in the trees along the Minnesota River. With a few hours to spare, you can be more confident of seeing multiple eagles on the Mississippi River in Wabasha. The National Eagle Center there provides riverside viewing as well as handling exhibitions of eagles kept there following injury recovery.

Bald eagles nest in large trees, usually the highest in a mature area near water with both sexes contributing to nest building. In recent decades, eagles have become more tolerant of humans and may nest close to towns or houses. Their nests can be large and used year after year by the same female. It isn’t clear if pairs stay together for multiple years. The largest Bald Eagle nest (in Florida) was 9 feet in diameter and 18 feet tall.

Females lay one or two eggs in a season. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 35 days. After hatching, the young reach adult size in about four weeks. Both parents contribute to feeding nestling pieces of food. Juveniles depart the next after one or two months of practice flapping. Half of the time, the young don’t have the muscle strength and coordination to return to their nest. The parents continue to feed it while it is on the ground. About 70 percent survive their first year out of the nest. Lifespans are always affected by environmental and feeding opportunities, but some live to 20 to 30 years old.

In the Mdewakanton Sioux culture, eagles represent strength, wisdom and connection to a spiritual realm. In the United States, the species is a national emblem featured on currency, flags, military insignia and sports teams. Though a symbol in American iconography for centuries, it only became the official bird of the U.S. in 2024. 

“Flying like an eagle” permeates our music and our dreams. Seeing a bald eagle in the skies of Carver County makes that day special. Let’s hope that all of us can have many of these special days.

For more information:

• The Sibley Guide to Birds, David Allen Sibley
• Birds of Minnesota and Wisconsin, Janssen, Tessen, and Kennedy
• Breeding Birds of Minnesota, Pfannmuller, Niemi and Green
• The Audubon Society’s Encyclopedia of North American Birds, John K. Terres
• Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Online: Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas
• Online: All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology LINK