A distinctive-looking bird of prey, the bald eagle holds the record for building the largest nest of any bird. The largest ever recorded was in Florida, constructed by a pair of bald eagles, and measured an astonishing 2.9 meters (9.5 feet) across, 6 meters (20 feet) deep, and weighed more than 2 tonnes (4,400 pounds).
How does a bald eagle build its nest?
A bald eagle’s nest is an impressive structure of interwoven sticks, typically more than 5 feet wide and 3 feet high, built high in a tall tree near water. These colossal structures, known as aeries, are built high in tall trees or on cliffs and can take years to reach such immense proportions.
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Each breeding season, the pair returns to reinforce and expand it, and over the years these nests can grow to monumental proportions – sometimes reaching 8 feet across, 12 feet deep, and weighing more than two tonnes. Inside, the eagles carefully line the nest with grass, moss, and feathers to create a soft, insulated chamber for their eggs and chicks.
Remarkably, the same nest can be used year after year, gradually evolving into a towering fortress in the treetops. Such nests not only protect the eaglets from predators and harsh weather but also serve as a generational home, with some pairs returning to the same aerie for decades.
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