What Bald Eagles Actually Sound Like - Which Differs From What You Hear In Movies

What Bald Eagles Actually Sound Like - Which Differs From What You Hear In Movies

Movies are full of sound effects, but some are more accurate than others.

Bald eagles are the national bird of the United States and considered the most "pictured" bird. The powerful bird appears on the national emblem and is often used as a symbol of freedom and courage on the big screen. However, the sound you hear when you see one of the majestic birds in a movie is not the actual sound they make.

A shrill scream is usually heard when a bald eagle soars across the sky in a film, but the sound belongs to another bird.

Alaska Raptor Center recently shared a video of two rescued bald eagles named Sunset and Thor "showing off their vocalization skills". The real sound of a bald eagle is high-pitched and sounds more like a chirp than the cry used in movies.

The raptor rescue posted, "#DidYouKnow Hollywood sound editors often dub over a Bald Eagle's call, with another bird's vocalization? The piercing, earthy screams of a Red-tailed Hawk."

Every year, Alaska Raptor Center cares for over 200 injured birds, mostly raptors. The goal is to rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild. However, if a bird is seriously injured and unable to survive on its own in the wild, they join the "Raptors-in-Residence team" and help educate students and people about their species.

Sunset and Thor arrived with serious injuries to their wings that required partial amputation. They live in a natural eagle habitat with another rescued eagle named Titan. Learn more about their rescue stories and how you can help care for them here.

Check out the video below and be sure to turn on the sound to hear the actual call of a bald eagle.

Andrea Powell

Andrea Powell is an animal enthusiast who resides in West Michigan. When not writing, she is exploring the great outdoors with her dogs and horses.

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