---
title: "How long does a bald eagle last?"
description: "A bald eagle lasts 15–38 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/bald-eagle/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a bald eagle last?

**Typical lifespan: 15–38 yr**

The national bird of the United States, recovered from about 400 nesting pairs in 1963 to over 70,000 today.

## How that compares

*Bald eagle against things of a similar time.*

- Bald eagle: 15–38 yr
- Giant panda: 15–30 yr
- American bison: 15–25 yr
- Spotted hyena: 12–25 yr
- Cow: 15–25 yr
- Red kangaroo: 12–25 yr
- American black bear: 18–30 yr
- Plains zebra: 12–25 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.05 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1.5 of them |

> Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

## More about a bald eagle

- [How much does a bald eagle weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/bald-eagle/) — 3–6.3 kg
- [Bald eagle vs Golden eagle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-golden-eagle/) — Side by side
- [Bald eagle vs Canada goose](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-canada-goose/) — Side by side
- [Bald eagle vs Harpy eagle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-harpy-eagle/) — Side by side
- [Bald eagle vs Wild turkey](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-wild-turkey/) — Side by side
- [Bald eagle vs Domestic cat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-domestic-cat/) — Side by side
- [Bald eagle vs Red fox](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-red-fox/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a bald eagle last?

A bald eagle lasts 15–38 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a bald eagle weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/bald-eagle/)
- [How long does a lion last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/)
- [How long does a tiger last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/tiger/)
- [How long does a great white shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/great-white-shark/)
- [How long does a cheetah last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/cheetah/)
- [How long does a polar bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/polar-bear/)
- [How long does a grizzly bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/grizzly-bear/)
- [How long does a gray wolf last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/gray-wolf/)
- [How long does a orca last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/orca/)
- [How long does a saltwater crocodile last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/saltwater-crocodile/)
- [How long does a leopard last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/leopard/)
- [Bald eagle vs Golden eagle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-golden-eagle/)
- [Bald eagle vs Canada goose](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-canada-goose/)
- [Bald eagle vs Harpy eagle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-harpy-eagle/)
- [Bald eagle vs Wild turkey](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-wild-turkey/)
- [Bald eagle vs Domestic cat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-domestic-cat/)
- [Bald eagle vs Red fox](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-red-fox/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)