5 Different Types of Eagles in Arkansas

Eagles are one of the most popular birds in the world. They are apex predators and have been revered throughout history.

In North America, different types of eagles in Arkansas can be found.

The largest and most well-known eagle in North America is the bald eagle.

These birds can be found in nearly every state in the contiguous United States. 

However, several other types of eagles live in Arkansas. Our blog post will list these different types of eagles.

Each of these species has its unique features and habits. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of eagles in Arkansas!

1. The Red-Tailed Hawk

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is first on our list of types of eagles in Arkansas. It is a medium-sized hawk species typically found throughout North America. 

The red-tailed hawk’s type of eagle in Arkansas is capable of powerful flight, soaring with minimal effort and flying straight, nearly silently, without beating the wings.

They are found in various habitats but prefer open fields, grasslands, and other spaces. 

Red-tailed types of eagles in Arkansas are recognizable by their reddish tail feathers, typically visible when perched and in flight.

They are most active during the day, catching their prey with their talons mid-flight or on the ground.

The red-tailed hawks feed primarily on small rodents, birds, reptiles, and other invertebrates.

The red-tailed hawk is a large bird of prey found in open grasslands and forests of Arkansas.

These eagles have a wingspan of up to 80 inches and weigh between two and five pounds. 

Red-tailed hawks usually hunt during the day, though they have been known to hunt at night.

They eat small animals, birds, and reptiles and have been seen preying on larger game, such as deer, foxes, and rabbits.

Red-tailed hawks pair for life and like to nest in tall trees. They soar on the wind, floating and gliding through the air in search of their prey. 

Driven by the hunt, the hawk keens and dives, unleashing its sharp talons to strike its target.

Reaching dizzying heights, the hawk circles and searches, watching for movement below. Its powerful wings carry it great distances, making it a symbol of strength and freedom.

The red-tailed hawk is a common sight in many countries, and its unwavering dignity is a testament to the beauty of nature.

2. The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is also on our list of types of eagles in Arkansas and birds of prey in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. 

The bald eagle’s scientific name signifies a sea (halo) eagle with a white head. The adult bald eagle has a brown body, wings, white head, and tail.

The female is considerably larger than the male. They typically have a 6 to 8 feet wingspan and weigh up to 14 pounds.

Bald eagles in Arkansas feed mainly on fish, which they catch by swooping down over a body of water and snatching it in their talons.

They can also feed on carrion, birds, mammals, and other creatures. They will also steal food from other birds or scavenge carcasses.

Bald types of eagles in Arkansas are found mainly near large bodies of water, such as the ocean, rivers, and lakes, where their main food supply is plentiful. They nest in tall trees, usually near water,

The Bald Eagle symbolizes the United States of America and represents the country’s freedom, strength, and patriotism.

It is featured prominently on many of the country’s official seals and the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States.

The national bird of the US, the Bald Eagle, represents freedom, courage, and honor.

According to legend, the Bald Eagle was chosen as the United States national bird because it symbolized strength and bravery. Its long life and majestic looks made it a fitting symbol to represent the nation.

The Bald Eagle is a large, powerful bird of prey and one of North America’s most recognizable birds. Adult Bald Eagles have white heads and tails with dark brown bodies.

The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States and the most well-known eagle in North America.

These majestic types of eagles in Arkansas can be found in nearly every state in the contiguous United States.

Bald eagles eat mostly fish, but they have also consumed other animals, such as snakes, frogs, and small mammals. They mate for life and nest in trees near rivers, lakes, and coasts.

3. The Golden Eagle

The golden eagle is a large bird of prey species native to North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.

Its scientific name is Aquila chrysaetos, which comes from the Latin words Aquila, meaning “eagle,” and chrysaetos, meaning “golden.” It is an apex predator, meaning it is at the top of its food chain. 

The golden eagle is one of the world’s largest types of eagles in Arkansas, and males can weigh up to 10kg, while females can weigh up to 8kg.

Golden eagles have wingspans of up to 2.5 meters and can reach speeds of up to 240 km/h when diving for prey. They hunt small animals like rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels. 

They also eat carrion or dead animal matter. They use their sharp eyesight to spot prey from high perches or during flight.

Golden eagles are a type of eagle in Arkansas. They nest in tall trees, usually near cliffs, and will use the same nest.

The golden eagle is a large bird of prey found in the mountainous regions of Arkansas.

These types of eagles in Arkansas have wingspans of up to 8.5 feet and weigh between six and ten pounds. 

Golden eagles are powerful predators. They hunt small and large animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, deer, and foxes.

Golden eagles in Arkansas mate for life and build their nests in tall trees.

4. The Cooper’s Hawk

The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized raptor found throughout North America.

It ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico and can be found in marshes, woodlands, grasslands, and even suburban areas.

The Cooper’s Hawk is a broad-winged member of the Accipitridae, a family of diurnal birds of prey commonly known as the hawks.

Its gray-black body is accented by red labeling under its tail and a white or cream-colored throat and breast.

A distinctive crest on its head and two yellow legs and feet help identify this species.

The Cooper’s Hawk is an opportunistic feeder and will hunt various animals, including small rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Its impressive airspeed and agility make it a successful hunter.

The Cooper’s Hawk is often perched atop trees or power lines, scanning its prey below. It is a territorial bird and will defend its nest if provoked.

The Cooper’s Hawk is an impressive hunter and a magnificent sight to behold when

The Cooper’s hawk is a small but powerful bird of prey found in woodlands and grasslands in Arkansas.

These eagles in Arkansas have wingspans of up to 50 inches and weigh between two and four pounds.

Cooper’s hawks hunt daily, feeding mostly on small animals such as mice, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Cooper’s hawk types of eagles in Arkansas are monogamous and build large nests in tall trees.

The Cooper’s hawk is known for its sleek and agile flight, adapted for sudden changes in direction during hunting. 

The coloring of these types of eagles in Arkansas can range from slate blue to dark brown. They have distinctive rusty-red barring on the chest, upper legs, and nape. Adults also have a white chin and throat.

Cooper’s hawks are typically seen in deciduous forests but can also be found near residential areas where prey is more abundant.

5. The White-Tailed Hawk

Lastly, The white-tailed hawk is a species native to North America. It is also known as the “eastern white-tailed hawk.”

It is mainly found in open woodlands, fields, and grasslands, where it hunts for its prey, which consists mostly of small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

The white-tailed hawk is a medium-sized hawk with a white head, tail, and dark brown body.

Its wingspan can reach up to 37 inches, and it weighs up to two pounds. Its beak is gray and hooked, and its legs are covered in feathers.

White-tailed types of eagles in Arkansas are usually found perching in high places and are often seen soaring on thermals.

They have a powerful vision, and when they spot potential prey, they dive toward it at high speed to capture it.

White-tailed hawks perform courtship flights to establish and strengthen their bonds as mating pairs.

During courtship, the male will fly at high speeds and display aerial acrobatics, often ending with a deep dive or a loop.

The white-tailed hawk is a large bird of prey found in the grasslands and forests of Arkansas.

White-tailed hawks hunt during the day and feed mostly on small animals. They have been known to catch larger games, such as birds, squirrels, and even rabbits. 

White-tailed hawks are large birds of prey native to North and South America. They prefer to nest in tall trees near rivers, lakes, and coasts.

This hawk is found in wooded, semi-open, and open habitats. It typically preys upon medium to small-sized mammals and birds, using its sharp talons to catch and kill its prey. 

The White-Tailed Hawk has a distinctive white tail, providing camouflage in its natural surroundings.

These types of eagles in Arkansas can also be identified by their black-and-white striped feathers and bright red eyes. 

White-tailed hawks are monogamous, having a single mate for life. They typically nest in trees or on cliffs, and the female lays two to four eggs that hatch after about a month.

The young remain with their parents for two to three months before fleeing.