The Bald Eagle Mating Habits

Bald eagles are loyal to their mates during their lifetime. An eagle will usually look for a new mate only if its companion dies. Together, they build huge nests known as “aeries” atop tall and strong trees. They make use of twigs, grasses, soft mosses and feathers in making their nests. They normally go back to their nests during breeding time and add new materials to it each year.

A new eagle’s nest measures an average of five feet in width and two feet in depth. However, as their family grows, the nest also becomes larger reaching more than ten feet wide and heavier.

By the age of four or five, bald eagles are already sexually mature during which they look for a mate to have offspring with. The mating season varies by region. In the south, it may occur from the later part of September to November while it may take place from January to March in the Great Plains and Mountain West. In Alaska, the mating season is usually from late March to early April. Contrary to traditional belief, eagles don’t copulate on the air but rather on a branch near their nest or on the ground.

Bald eagles can mate throughout their life starting from the age of four. Breeding, however, may not happen every year to all the birds despite having a pair due to bad weather, absence of a suitable nesting site or lack of food.