When the open talons hit the prey, they instantly close and cannot be opened again until the eagle pushes down on a solid surface. Occasionally, bald eagles plunge into water while trying to catch a fish. The eagle can not fly again until it's out of the water, so it uses its large wings to swim. The eagle is a strong swimmer, but if the water is very cold, it may be overcome by hypothermia. The hunting area or home range patrolled by a bald eagle varies from 1,700 to 10,000 acres.
Home ranges are smaller where food is present in great quantity.
Because of the energy expended during hunting, an eagle has to spend a lot of time resting quietly. It's estimated that only one out of eighteen attacks are successful. Though not as fast as falcons, bald eagles are fast fliers. When diving, where lift is less important than reaching drag, the eagle pulls in its wings to minimize their surface area. Bald eagles have been seen hunting in pairs.