Bald eagles primarily eat fish, which make up about 70 to 90 percent of their diet. They are often found nesting near water sources abundant in fish
. However, bald eagles are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide variety of prey including:
- Waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and coots
- Small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, moles, and nutria
- Reptiles and amphibians including frogs and turtles
- Carrion, such as roadkill or dead animals, including large mammals like deer and even washed-up marine mammals
- Occasionally, they steal food from other birds like ospreys or scavenge from human waste sites and landfills
They do not chew their food but tear it into manageable pieces with their strong beaks or swallow small prey whole
. Their diet is quite diverse, with over 400 species recorded as prey, reflecting their adaptability and opportunistic nature
. In summary, while fish are their staple food, bald eagles have a broad diet that includes birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and carrion, making them versatile predators and scavengers in their ecosystems.
