Why do eagles soar in the sky?

Answer 1

Bald Eagles are commonly reported by hang glider pilots in the Owens valley along the California/Nevada border to fly far above 15,000 feet. They will circle with hang gliders, sometimes flying only 10' off their wingtip. They will share the same rising thermal for many thousands of feet before the hang glider pilot or the Eagle leaves the thermal and flies on.

I have heard of reports of Bald Eagles being seen over 30,000 feet but cannot find primary sources for those reports. Bar Headed Geese have been known to fly at 29,000 feet and there is no reason that a Bald eagle could not fly as high or higher.

Let this be a lesson on "facts" found on the internet. All over the internet you will see claims that the Bald Eagle can only fly up to 10,000 feet which is not even close to being correct. Likewise you will see claims that the pesticide DDT was responsible for the dwindling Bald Eagle population which turns out to be also completely false. Do research. Look for primary resources. Don't believe everything you first, or commonly, hear.

Answer 2

Its going around in email as an urban legend kind of thing. I found this answer good and another from a pilot saying the air is still above the clouds and would make no sense for the bird that is wanting the updraft.

Q: I recently stumbled across some information that stated eagles fly into storms, use the winds of the storm to gain altitude, and that they rise way above the storm. I haven't been able to find any scientific resource to support that and wanted to know if you know anything about this statement or whether you could direct me to a reliable source that will confirm it or deny it.

A: Lazar, I have never heard of this behavior exactly as you describe it. This sounds like stretching or misinterpreting what eagles do, which might have confused some folks. Eagles definitely do use the winds (and some quite strong), as well as "updrafts" coming off hills and mountains. This helps them to gain altitude and set them up for a long, soaring flight to another location, especially when they migrate great distances north or south. This behavior saves considerable energy, and the eagles hardly have to flap their wings; pretty smart I say, using the winds to their advantage.

Peter E. Nye

New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation

Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources

Albany, NY

Spring, 2006

Answer 3

no,eagles do not fly above the clouds as there is a risk of being hit by the lightening.

Answer 4

Eagles soar in the sky looking for food. They have keen eyesight that can spot food from high in the sky.

Answer 5

They can soar over a thousand feet or more, so if the clouds are low, yes.

Answer 6

Yes. An eagle can fly above the clouds.

Answer 7

Hawks can not fly higher than ealges