Bald Eagle

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus; hali = sea, aeetus = eagle, leuco = white, cephalis = head) are birds of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.
Bald Eagles are the sole animal in the Freedom Zoo.
==Description==
The plumage of an adult Bald Eagle is evenly dark brown with a white head and tail. The tail is moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped. Males and females are identical in plumage coloration, but sexual dimorphism is evident in the species in that females are 25% larger than males. The beak, feet and irides are bright yellow. The legs are feather-free, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons. The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it is held immobile by the front toes. The beak is large and hooked, with a yellow cere. The adult Bald Eagle is unmistakable in its native range. The closely related African Fish Eagle (H. vocifer) (from far outside of the Bald Eagle's range) also has a brown body, white head and tail, but differs from the Bald in having a white chest and black tip to the bill.
===Distribution===
The Bald Eagle typically requires old-growth and mature stands of coniferous or hardwood trees for perching, roosting, and nesting. Tree species reportedly is less important to the eagle pair than the tree's height, composition and location. Perhaps of paramount importance for this species is an abundance of comparatively large trees surrounding the body of water. Selected trees must have good visibility, be over 20 m (66 ft) tall, an open structure, and proximity to prey.
==Behavior==
Bald Eagle love to hunt and prefer to catch its own prey, so the use of live prey is suggested. They don't live in huge families; it only needs its own family to be satisfied. If there is a deep pond filled with live fish, the eagle will catch fish there.
===Preferred Objects===
*Shelter: Tree Hut
*Enrichment: Bird Perch, Live Prey
*Animal Food: Fish, Meat
Category:Birds
Category:Basic Animals
Category:ZP Animals
Category:Zoo Palace
Category:Toshiko Games