The eagle holds its prey with one talon, holds onto its perch with the other, then tears off each bite with its bill. The bald eagle steals food from other bald eagles as well as other species. Chasing another raptor is usually enough to persuade it to drop its kill, but occasionally bald eagles will attack. Bald eagles do not have to eat every day. But if the bird goes too long without food, it may not be able to hunt effectively in order to survive.
Eagles have an out pouching of the esophagus, called a crop, where they can store food.
For a scavenger like the bald eagle, the carcass of a seal is an unexpected large food supply. Rich with fat and protein, the seal's body will feed a group of eagles for days. Though many calories will be obtained, they will be lost in fighting over the food.