A BALD EAGLE OVERLOOKING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD BETWEEN ALTON AND GRAFTON, ILLINOIS
EAGLE FACT(S)
THE BEAK OF A BALD EAGLE IS HOOKED AT THE TIP FOR TEARING. THE EDGE OF THE UPPER MANDIBLE IS SHARP ENOUGH TO SLICE TOUGH SKIN. THE UPPER MANDIBLE OVERLAPS THE LOWER MANDIBLE, THEREBY CREATING A "SCISSORS EFFECT". THE BEAK IS MADE OF KERATIN AND, LIKE OUR FINGERNAILS, GROWS CONTINUOUSLY. IF THE EAGLE IS HELD IN CAPTIVITY, THE BEAK MUST BE TRIMMED AT REGULAR INTERVALS. IN NATURE, THE DAILY ACTIVITIES OF THE BIRD WILL WILL KEEP THE BEAK WORN DOWN.