Adaptations: The Tail
for labeled photo
An eagle's body is adapted for its fishing and scavenging lifestyle. Its
tail helps with:
in flight--the tail is long enough and wide enough to help balance
the bird's head in flight
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.
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.
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.