In level flight, bald eagles can reach speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour (48 to 56 kilometers per hour). When diving or stooping towards prey, they can reach speeds up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour).
Their agility in flight allows them to swiftly change direction and altitude, crucial for hunting and avoiding obstacles.
The talons are used primarily for hunting. Bald eagles catch their prey, such as fish, birds, and small mammals, with their talons.
They can exert a force of about 400 psi (pounds per square inch), which is powerful enough to pierce through the scales of fish and the flesh of mammals.
The talons also play a role in defense against predators and in territorial disputes with other eagles.
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