Death-Defying Aerial Romance
Bald eagles court by locking talons mid-flight and cartwheeling toward the ground, only separating at the last moment before impact.
Bald eagles perform one of the most dramatic courtship displays in the animal kingdom: the cartwheel display (also called the "death spiral").
Two eagles fly high into the sky, then lock their talons together and begin tumbling toward the ground, spinning around each other in a dramatic free fall. They plummet hundreds of feet before releasing each other just before hitting the ground.
This death-defying display serves multiple purposes: - It tests the strength, agility, and courage of potential mates - It may strengthen pair bonds (eagles mate for life) - It demonstrates the fitness of both birds
The actual mating takes place on a branch or in the nest and is less dramatic — a quick cloacal kiss like most birds. But the courtship leading up to it is spectacular.
Once paired, bald eagles typically stay together for life, returning to the same nest year after year. They share parenting duties, with both parents incubating eggs and feeding chicks. If one partner dies, the survivor will find a new mate.
Eagles can live 20-30 years in the wild, meaning successful pairs may be together for decades.