Sometimes I feel compelled to throw back my head and sing at the top of my lungs, as this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was doing when I spotted it last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It might be somewhat of an exaggeration to call it “singing”—the eagle was calling out to its mate, I believe, in a somewhat unmelodious way, but it was a cool experience nonetheless.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology had the following description of a bald eagle’s calls, “For such a powerful bird, the Bald Eagle emits surprisingly weak-sounding calls—usually a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes.” Check out this link to a Cornell Lab webpage that has several sound samples of an eagle’s call. According to a National Public Radio report, Hollywood movies often dub over an eagle’s call with a Red-tailed Hawk’s cry, which is much more majestic, so you may be surprised to hear what a bald eagle actually sounds like.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Are we better hearing the eagle or you, Mike? Great photos.
Hmm, I guess that depends on your perspective. I do sing bass in my church choir and think I sound pretty good, but I am probably a bit biased in my assessment. The eagles sing with a different sense of purpose. Many birds sing to attract mates–that is not my goal–or to communicate with a long-term partner, while I often sing by myself for the sheer joy of it.
I’m sure the choir is happy to have your voice.
The eagle looks like it has something to say 😊
I love this! You caught him singing for sure. Mike, sing! 🎶☺️
These are astounding captures of a Bald Eagle! Your always engaging commentary prompted the memory of an old song. In the 1982 movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” the song “Up Where We Belong” has the repeated phrase…where the eagles cry on a mountain high. I will most likely be humming that song for the remainder of the day as it already began happening as I read your post. I do not sound anything close to either Joe Cocker or Jennifer Warnes so my humming is preferable to my singing! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Crystal clear images, Mike, and we can just about hear that squawk…oops, song.
Thanks, Chris. “Squawk” is a good way to describe the most common eagle call.
Excellent series, Mike. I love to hear their call, and they certainly use their outside voices in ways we probably don’t understand.
We usually hear their calls several times each summer. Hope to hear them again soon, for the first time in 3 years.
Is travel now open in and out of New Zealand? I know, Gary, that you are longing to be back at your cabin.
It is opening up, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Things seem to be getting better bit by bit, but it is certainly not a straight path of progress and there still seem to be lots of dangers.
Very nice Eagle images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!
That second shot is hilarious! “Honey, where are you?” Are you sure they were not in a hardware store or a fabric shop? Still giggling here.