Bald eagles have a large wingspan, generally up to 6 or 7 feet, but where they live appears to affect their size. Southern bald eagles tend to be smaller than their relatives that live in the north. The largest wingspan ever measured reached to nearly 8 feet! The wings are not only long, but powerful. The bald eagles' primary feathers, like those of many larger predatory birds, are notched at the end. Remember, bald eagles can weigh more than a small Thanksgiving turkey! Some bald eagles live in the same vicinity all year, but many migrate annually, often using their large wings to soar on thermal air currents. They don't "migrate" in the way most people may think. Most migrating Canada geese, for example, tend to have a summer home and a winter home. They fly south in the fall and fly north in the spring. Migration can cover hundreds of miles, even much of the country. Bald eagles "migrate" only as far as they must to find open water. They are hearty birds, capable of enduring harsh weather conditions, but since fish play such an important role in their diet, open water is critical. Gender differences || Eyesight || Wings, flight & migration Life stages || Why "bald" eagles? || Nesting & breeding Habitat & Threats || Predators & Predation Terms of Use - Copyright 2007 Central Vermont Public Service Copyright photos CVPS, Floyd Scholz U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Web related issues || Site developed by Interactive Media Advertising