CRY LIKE AN EAGLE

When I read “The Mighty Marvel of the Skies” in the March issue, it called to mind a rather unexpected sort of “fun fact” about bald eagles. I’ve had the opportunity to observe them in the wild, and it turns out the sound they make is nothing like what most of us have come to think of it as. That distinct cry as the majestic bird swoops down from the sky is not real! Of course the fierce raptors are still impressive nonetheless, and hopefully knowing this doesn’t diminish anyone’s enjoyment of them. Sam Pellerton, Fairbanks, AK

It’s true, and it may be disappointing when people hear what a bald eagle actually sounds like: Rather than the well-known screeching call we associate with them, they utter more of a peeping chirp. It’s actually kind of an adorable sound for such a formidable bird to make, though sometimes they do also make a call that has a haunting quality. Whenever eagles are heard on TV and in movies, the mighty characteristic cry is actually the overdubbed call of another bird of prey such as a red-tailed hawk instead.