Nestled in the back of the Zoo’s North American habitat lives one of America’s most recognizable symbols—the bald eagle. With rich brown feathers and a striking white head, the bald eagle represents strength, resilience, and independence. Here at the Sedgwick County Zoo, this bird is more than just a symbol, he’s an ambassador for his species.
Previously, the Zoo was home to two bald eagles, a female and a male, who lived in our care for nearly a decade. Last year, we said goodbye to the female after she passed away due to age-related complications. Today, our remaining male bald eagle is nearing 36 years old and has entered his geriatric years. Like aging humans, senior animals benefit from thoughtful adjustments to their daily routines, and our animal care team has carefully adapted his care to support his changing needs.
As guests may notice subtle changes in his activity levels, diet, or routine, we want to share more about what geriatric care looks like for a bald eagle—and how we support him every step of the way.
Why is he always on the ground?
Due to his advanced age, our eagle has begun experiencing vision problems which are common at this stage in his life. He has cataracts in both eyes, which causes him to have limited vision and mobility challenges. To improve his quality of life and make things more comfortable, the keepers have lowered his perches to be easily accessible for him. This means that his flight is now more limited to just his “comfort spaces” and higher hard to reach perches have been lowered near or on the ground so he can reach them easily and without injury.
How are the keepers accommodating for geriatric avian care?
Since our remaining bald eagle is considered geriatric and has decreased mobility due to his cataracts, SCZ staff have maintained constant vigilance of his health and have made many changes to better improve his quality of life. These changes include, routine monitoring, lowered perches, comfortable bedding on the ground, and increased collaboration with the Zoo’s veterinary team. Caring for an aging bird is no easy task, and it takes a dedicated team to provide the best quality care.
How long do bald eagles live?
Bald eagles are very long-lived, in the wild and in human care. In the wild, bald eagles can live anywhere from 25-36 years, with some recorded individuals living even longer. In human care and zoological institutions, eagles can reach 30-40 and sometimes even 50 years!
Why is this eagle so quiet? Why is he not as “chatty”?
Adult bald eagles exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism, which means that females of the species are larger than the males and look identical in plumage.
Regular Zoo guests may occasionally confuse our male eagle with the female who passed away in early 2025. Our female bald eagle was noticeably more vocal than the male—whether due to sex, individual personality, or both. While he isn’t as “chatty” as his former counterpart, our male eagle still vocalizes from time to time.
What do bald eagles sound like?
One of the biggest misconceptions in the animal world is the incorrect vocalization used in film and television to depict bald eagle cries. It’s a sound we have all heard before, a loud screeching sound similar to a war cry; used countless times to make the bird synonymous with power, strength and American pride. But…it’s all fake!
In reality, the bald eagle’s cry is much quieter than depicted on screen; a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes. Another North American bird, the red-tailed hawk, is actually the one responsible for the piercing cry we are all familiar with. It is likely that Hollywood sound crews of the past decided to use the red-tailed hawk’s cry for a bald eagle because the sound is more awe-inspiring and fearsome; a better fit for the symbol of the United States. Check out the differences between these bird calls below!
Bald Eagle vs Red Tailed Hawk Vocalization by the Alaska Raptor Center
It’s cold outside! Isn’t the bald eagle freezing?
Despite the frosty Kansas temperatures and high wind speeds, bald eagles find this weather to be right at home. Bald eagles are native to areas all over the United States, and are built to withstand a wide range of weather. As a sea eagle, they prefer to live near areas with large bodies of water for fishing and tall trees for perching and making nests.
Here at the Sedgwick County Zoo, we take precautions with our eagle since he is older. When winter weather picks up, keepers provide him with supplemental straw bedding, a wind block, and a heated water bowl.
Are bald eagles endangered?
List on the ICUN Red List as “Least Concern” due to the combined efforts of numerous conservationists and The Endangered Species Act. By the 1960’s, bald eagles were in danger of extinction due to habitat loss, illegal shooting, and contamination from the insecticide DDT. Through the efforts of the public and the United States government, it became illegal to kill a bald eagle, as well as use DDT as a pesticide. As of 2007, bald eagles are no longer on the list of threatened and endangered species. Read more on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife page here.