The distinctive white head and tail feathers appear only after the bird is 4 to 5 years old. Bald Eagle Flying-Chilkat River. Haines, Alaska Alaskan Eagles by Barbara Samuelson 1997 by Barbara Samuelson. Used by Permission Hawks are diurnal predators , meaning they prey by day. Hawks have common traits like hooked beaks, taloned feet and very keen eyesight, yet there is great diversity among them.
Hawks are strong, powerful birds.
Their feet are equipped with sharp, curved talons for capturing prey, and their strong beaks are hooked for biting and tearing flesh. Swift fliers, some hawks can attain speeds of over 150 miles per hour when diving. Swainson's Hawk- Greg's Birds of Prey 1996 by Greg Gothard. Used by Permission. The use of the pesticide DDT accounted for a large number of poisonings of the bald eagle.