Structural Adaptations:
The Bald Eagle has many structural adaptations that help it hunt and kill prey. The talons of a Bald Eagle help capture and kill the prey. The Bald Eagle uses its talons to penetrate the preys flesh. The large, curved beak is used for ripping apart the recently captured food. The upper mandible is very sharp to rip apart the tough skin of a prey. The beak of a Bald Eagle is also used to feed the newly hatched young and sometimes to groom a mates feathers. A Bald Eagles beak is sometimes used as a form of protection against predators. The beak is made out of keratin, the same material as a humans toe or finger nail. The Bald Eagle has one more adaptation that helps it protect itself and helps it obtain food; its wings. The wings of a Bald Eagle have a lifting power of about 4 pounds. Without flapping there wings, they can travel up to 79mph! When diving for prey, they can reach speeds of 100mph! The Bald Eagle has no physiological adaptations.