Bald Eagle behavior

Anyone know why Bald Eagles sometimes fly up and kind of stall and then fly on and then do it again? One did that today over me and I couldn't figure out why. This was in Colorado and he was over a frozen lake, lots of BE's sitting in the trees along the shoreline but a long way from where he was and he was alone.

I think you observed courtship behavior, called the Roller Coaster Flight. It's a pair bond initiation ritual. It's the Bald Eagle equivalent of trolling bars.

Pair bond confirmation rituals are much more impressive.

Could be. Maybe it was practicing the behavior since it was a loner. I think I've seen more mating animals and birds this Spring than I ever have before, from squirrels to mallards! Must be global warming!

I agree with Jim. That the same behavior can be performed with no other eagle in sight I've taken to suggest merely that the solitary guy was just practicing his "moves" !

Dave Graham

The other eagles sitting around in the distance would have been able to witness the "moves" so it may have been for their benefit. Thanks.

Another behavior question, a group of birds, probably raptors, maybe eagles, more than one species flying high and circling. Photo taken yesterday in Colorado. What are they doing? Hunting? Mating behavior?

The circling group was probably just enjoying and sharing in a thermal uplift….?

Thanks Cindy, I've heard of birds doing that here e.g. Swainson's Hawks. I saw once in Thailand, I think it was storks, thousands of them doing this.