The bald eagle has sometimes been considered the largest true raptor (accipitrid) in North America. The only larger species of raptor-like bird is the California condor. The bald eagle has a body length of 28–40 in. Typical wingspan is between 5.9 and 7.5 ft and mass is normally between 6.6 and 13.9 lbs. Females are about 25% larger than males. The bald eagle is usually quite sensitive to human activity while nesting, and is found most commonly in areas with minimal human disturbance. While wintering, bald eagles tend to be less habitat and disturbance sensitive.
They will commonly congregate at spots with plentiful perches and waters with plentiful prey and (in Northern climes) partially unfrozen waters. Alternately, non-breeding or wintering bald eagles, particularly in areas with a lack of human disturbance, spend their time in various upland, terrestrial habitats sometimes quite far away from waterways.
