Eagles are majestic birds of prey that soar high in the skies with their large wingspans. But what happens when a storm rolls in? Can eagles continue to fly high above the dark clouds and turbulence?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, eagles are capable of flying above most storms due to their ability to ride thermal updrafts to great heights.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about eagles flying in stormy weather. We’ll examine eagles’ flight capabilities, how they deal with rain, wind, and lightning, how high they can fly, and whether there are limits to their ability to traverse storms.

Eagles’ Incredible Flight Capabilities

Wingspan and Wing Shape

Eagles have a massive wingspan, ranging from 5 to 8 feet across different species! Their large, broad wings allow them to soar effortlessly on thermal updrafts and maintain flight for hours without flapping.

Eagles’ wings are designed for maximum lift and speed, enabling them to reach velocities of 75-99 mph in fast flight. The leading edges of an eagle’s wings are softly curved, while the rear edges are more sharply angled.

This unique shape reduces drag while providing the lift needed for powerful, agile flight.

Keen Eyesight

An eagle’s vision is legendary – their eyes are almost as large as human eyes and have two to three times more visual receptors for amazing clarity and detail. The placement of an eagle’s eyes also provides a wide 300-degree field of binocular vision.

These adaptations allow eagles to spot prey from nearly a mile away! Their ability to zoom in on distant objects enables precision hunting, even from great heights. Eagles can even discern ultraviolet light, enhancing their vision beyond the range of human sight.

Soaring Skills

Eagles are masters of soaring flight. They effortlessly ride thermal columns of rising, warm air, often to altitudes of 10,000 feet or more. Eagles will lock their wings in position to gain speed in a stoop or dive, then spread their wings and tail slightly to slow down for landing.

Their loose, layered feathers and lightweight, hollow bones give eagles superb aerial agility. An eagle’s tail acts like a rudder, aiding tight turns and nimble maneuvering that would be impossible for an aircraft of similar size.

No wonder eagles have become living symbols of freedom and transcendence for humankind across cultures.

How Eagles Deal With Rain, Wind, and Lightning

Repelling Water

Eagles have special feathers that are coated with oil from a preen gland near their tail. This oil repels water, keeping eagles dry in the rain so they can still fly (1). An eagle’s feathers have tiny hooks and barbules that zip them together, creating a waterproof barrier.

Additionally, eagles will often face into the wind or find shelter to avoid getting too wet (2).

Maneuvering Wind Gusts

Eagles are incredibly strong flyers that can withstand winds over 100 mph. Their large wing span creates plenty of lift, while their light skeleton and powerful flight muscles allow superb control. Eagles tilt, angle, and set their wings to catch updrafts and slice through downdrafts.

They move their feathers to reduce drag from crosswinds. If winds get too turbulent, eagles glide down to perch and wait it out (3).

Avoiding Lightning

Fortunately, eagles can sense building electricity in the air and will proactively avoid storms with lightning. If caught in a storm, they tuck their wings and dive to build speed, allowing them to escape.

Their streamlined bodies and feather insulation prevent electricity from traveling across their bodies (4). While lightning strikes are still a risk, especially to fledglings, eagles have learned to be vigilant and take evasive action.

Percentage of eagles struck by lightning Less than 1% annually (5)

So while rain, wind, and lightning pose challenges, eagles are remarkably equipped to deal with all kinds of intense weather.

References:

  1. https://www.audubon.org/news/why-do-ducks-rain-roll-right-birds-backs
  2. https://www.audubon.org/news/do-birds-avoid-getting-wet-rain
  3. https://www.popsci.com/birds-survive-storms/
  4. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/unexpected-and-extreme-weather/
  5. https://www.audubon.org/news/why-birds-get-electrocuted-power-lines

Maximum Altitudes Eagles Can Reach

Riding Thermals Updrafts

Eagles and other large birds, like hawks, vultures, and condors, have an amazing ability to soar to great heights using rising warm air currents called thermals. Thermals form when the sun heats the ground, causing pockets of warm air to rise up into the atmosphere.

As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses into fluffy clouds that mark the thermal updrafts. Eagles can sense these thermals and ride them upwards, gaining altitude with little effort as they circle inside the columns of rising air.

Studies have recorded bald eagles riding updrafts to altitudes over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). On migration, thermal soaring allows eagles to conserve energy as they travel vast distances. Golden eagles are especially adept soarers and have been observed rising over 17,000 feet (5,000 meters) while ridge soaring in the Himalayas!

Record Heights

The highest recorded altitude for an eagle in flight is 37,000 feet (11,300 meters) above sea level. This record was set by a Rüppell’s vulture soaring over the Ivory Coast in West Africa in 1973. Rüppell’s vultures are not true eagles but share many characteristics that allow for extreme high-altitude flight.

True eagles have also reached impressive heights. A Eurasian eagle-owl was sucked into an airplane turbine at 37,000 feet in 1975. Golden eagles are believed to have flown at altitudes exceeding 30,000 feet (9,100 meters) above sea level.

And satellite telemetry data showed a golden eagle soaring at an altitude of 31,800 feet (9,700 meters) over the Pyrenees mountains on the border of France and Spain.

Height Limits

Most birds cannot fly as high as commercial aircraft, which cruise around 30,000 – 40,000 feet. The limiting factor for bird flight is the availability of oxygen. As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner and it becomes harder to flap wings or breathe.

Humans begin suffering from oxygen deprivation above 8,000 feet, while birds can tolerate much higher elevations thanks to efficient respiratory systems.

Another factor is air temperature. At high altitudes above 20,000 feet (6,000 meters), it’s below freezing. Eagles and vultures have adaptations like dense plumage for insulation and blood vessels in their beaks to prevent tissue damage. But eventually the cold will take a toll.

So while eagles can soar surprisingly high, the altitude record of 37,000 feet is close to their physiological limit.

Limits to Flying Above Major Storms

Risks of Turbulence and Icing

Eagles have an amazing ability to soar to great heights, but even they have limits when it comes to flying above major storms. Turbulence and icing pose significant risks for eagles navigating through the upper levels of storm systems.

Powerful updrafts and downdrafts in thunderstorms can batter an eagle with strong gusts and winds. This turbulence can rapidly change an eagle’s altitude and make flying extremely challenging. Sudden drops in elevation due to downdrafts increase the risk of an eagle being slammed into the ground.

Icing is another major danger, as moisture and freezing temperatures in storm clouds cause ice to form on an eagle’s wings and body. This ice adds excessive weight and disrupts the aerodynamics of the wings, making it very difficult to generate lift and stay airborne.

Even a small amount of ice can be extremely dangerous.

Challenging Hurricane-Force Winds

Hurricanes produce extreme winds at their core that test the limits of an eagle’s flight capabilities. Sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are simply too strong for an eagle to maneuver and make headway. The powerful gusts can slam an eagle around in the air and force it to rapidly lose altitude.

According to raptor experts, bald eagles can typically handle winds up to around 40 mph by angling their bodies and streamlining their shape. But the screaming winds of a hurricane far exceed an eagle’s wing strength and flying skills. Remaining airborne in those conditions is extremely treacherous.

Seeking Shelter When Necessary

Eagles are intelligent birds that know their limitations in extreme weather. While they are well equipped to ride out moderate storms, at a certain point an eagle will seek shelter rather than endanger itself unnecessarily.

Their strong survival instinct compels them to find a place to wait out dangerously high winds, heavy rain, and intense electrical storms.

An eagle may take cover within the branches of tall trees, cliff faces, or inset hillsides that provide protection. By biding their time in a sheltered spot, eagles can avoid the worst impacts of a severe storm until it passes.

Their specialized feathers even allow them to remain dry in heavy downpours.

So while eagles can achieve impressive heights thanks to their large wingspans and keen flying skills, storms with high winds, icing, and turbulence pose major hazards. Eagles wisely limit their exposure by taking refuge when confronting the most severe weather systems such as powerful thunderstorms and hurricanes.

Their ability to discern when to seek shelter helps eagles survive the tempests.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored, eagles are remarkably adept fliers that can traverse stormy skies better than most birds. Their large size, soaring skills, keen vision, and water-resistant feathers allow them to fly above rain, wind, and lightning to great heights.

While eagles can’t fly above every storm system, they can ride thermal columns and updrafts to rise high above turbulent weather. Only the most extreme winds and tallest thunderstorm clouds exceed eagles’ limits.

So next time storm clouds roll in, look up – you may catch a glimpse of an eagle soaring the skies.

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