The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States and is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This federal law makes it illegal to hunt, trap, kill, sell, purchase, or possess bald eagles, their parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. So in most cases, it is illegal to eat bald eagle meat.
Is it ever legal to eat bald eagle meat?
There are a few exceptions where eating bald eagle meat may be allowed:
- Native Americans are allowed to use bald eagle feathers and parts for religious purposes. If the eagle was taken legally by a Native American for religious use, they may be able to eat the meat as well.
- Alaska Natives are allowed to harvest bald eagles for subsistence purposes. This includes hunting eagles and using their meat for food. However, there are limits on the number of eagles that can be taken.
- If an eagle dies through non-human causes (like being hit by a car), a person may be able to acquire a salvage permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This would allow them to possess the eagle parts, including meat.
Outside of these exceptions, eating bald eagle meat is generally prohibited. The penalties for violating the Eagle Protection Act can include fines up to $250,000 and prison time.
Why is the bald eagle protected?
The bald eagle received special protection in the United States for a few key reasons:
- It was adopted as the national emblem of the US in 1782 and became a symbol of the country.
- Habitat loss and hunting drove bald eagle populations dangerously low. There were only around 400 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states in the 1960s.
- A law was needed to prevent the iconic eagle from going extinct in the US.
The Bald Eagle Protection Act was passed in 1940 to protect the species. This law and conservation efforts helped bald eagle populations recover significantly.
What do bald eagles taste like?
Most people will never know what bald eagle tastes like! But for those who have legally tried it, most descriptions say the meat is tough and unsavory.
Bald eagle meat is said to taste similar to these other wild game meats:
- Goose or duck
- Greasy dark-meat chicken
- Tough, gamy beef
The flavor likely depends on the age and diet of the bird. But in general, bald eagle is not considered a tasty or desirable meat.
Nutritional content
No extensive nutritional studies have likely been done on bald eagle meat.
However, we can estimate the nutritional content based on data for similar types of poultry:
Nutrient | Amount Per 3 oz Serving of Bald Eagle Meat (Estimated) |
---|---|
Calories | 110-200 |
Fat | 3-13g |
Sodium | 50-100mg |
Protein | 16-25g |
As a wild bird, bald eagle meat is likely very lean and low in fat compared to domestic poultry. It probably provides a good amount of protein as well.
Health risks
Eating illegally hunted bald eagle could pose some health risks:
- Lead poisoning: Eagles can ingest lead from eating animals killed with lead bullets. Consuming the meat could expose people to high lead levels.
- Mercury contamination: As fish-eaters, eagles may accumulate mercury in their tissues which could be harmful if the meat is eaten regularly.
- Infectious disease: Wild eagles may harbor bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that could cause food poisoning in humans.
There is also the risk of being prosecuted for violating federal law if the meat is obtained illegally.
Availability
Bald eagle meat is not commercially available for purchase. Again, it would only be legally accessible by certain Native American groups or in Alaska.
Any eagle meat for sale online or otherwise would likely be illegal. There was a case in 2021 of a man in Arkansas illegally selling bald eagle meat online.
Is bald eagle meat sustainable?
Hunting bald eagles for meat would not be considered sustainable. The species’ numbers are still recovering after being decimated in the past. Removing adult eagles from the breeding population could impact the species’ preservation.
The only circumstance where bald eagle hunting may be sustainable is traditional harvest by certain Native American groups. These groups are typically careful stewards of the species.
Substitutes
Instead of seeking out the illegal alternative of bald eagle meat, there are a few legal options that likely have a similar flavor:
- Goose: Goose meat has a similar dark color and gamy flavor as eagle.
- Duck: Duck breast can provide a lean, rich-tasting meat that resembles eagle.
- Venison: Deer meat is another lean, tender wild game option.
- Pasture-raised chicken: The dark meat of pasture-raised chickens may have an earthier, stronger taste closer to wild eagle meat.
Conclusion
In summary, it is illegal for most people to hunt, kill, or eat bald eagles. The few exceptions are Native Americans using the meat for religious purposes, and Alaskan Natives harvesting eagles for subsistence. Eating illegally obtained eagle meat can result in fines and legal trouble.
Bald eagle meat is said to be tough and unappetizing. There are also health risks associated with lead exposure and infectious disease. For these reasons, most people should seek legal substitutes for this unusual delicacy.