The eaglet's first flight occurs between 12 and 14 weeks. They will still return to the nest area at night but do not necessarily sleep in it. For 4 or 5 weeks after their first flight young birds will stay close to the nest, taking short flights daily. Practicing their new found ability to fly, they begin to hunt, which is more hit and miss than success. They are still totally dependent on their parents and learn to hunt by practice and observation. Both parents teach the juveniles how to hunt and where to find food. If food is scarce during their first winter the young may not survive. On an average only 50% of juveniles survive their first year.
Young birds lack the distinctive white head and tail of the adult eagle. They are basically dark brown including their eyes, and their beaks are a greyish brown.
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By 5 years of age when they reach maturity, Eagles will have the distinctive white head and tail. Their average size will be between 29" and 42" long, with females being larger than males. They will weigh between 7 and 15 pounds, with an average wingspan of 6 to 8 feet.
On an average Bald Eagles will live up to 25 years in the wild and longer in captivity.
