Eagle
Adaptations: The Tail
Click
for labeled photo
photo:
Ray Foster
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An eagle's body is adapted for its fishing and scavenging lifestyle. Its
tail helps with:
- Balance
in flight--the tail is long enough and wide enough to help balance
the bird's head in flight
- Surface
area for soaring--the tail can widen to provide extra surface area,
allowing thermals and updrafts to keep it aloft with little effort.
See our lesson on flight.
- Sturdy
and short so when the bird hits water hard and fast while fishing,
the tail won't be damaged and won't get in the way.
- Helps
other eagles see how mature this one is. The tail of a young bird
is dark brown, and turns white when the bird becomes mature when
at 4 - 6 years of age.
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