Bald Eagles, like many other birds, build nests to live in and raise their young.  Think about bird nests you have seen in your neighborhood or community.   How large were those nests?  Where were they built?  Now think about the size of a Bald Eagle.  Do you think an eagle would be comfortable in nests you have seen?  Chances are, the Bald Eagle would be too big to fit in any nests you are thinking of.  What does a Bald Eagle nest look like, and where might you find one?   Bald Eagles can be found in many areas in North America. They must also adapt to live in those different types of areas.  One way to adapt is by using different kinds of trees or rock formations to build a nest.  Even though a Bald Eagle in Florida is the same as a Bald Eagle in Alaska, trees found in Florida are not like those found in Alaska.  The Bald Eagle, therefore, has to adapt and build a nest that is suitable to its surroundings. Although Bald Eagles can adapt to where they choose to build a nest, there are common characteristics in the trees they choose.  Ideal trees have large crowns - or "V" shaped areas - to provide a lot of room to build.  Nests are usually found in oak, hemlock, poplar, elm, sycamore, and lodgepole pine trees.  The nest is usually built near the top of the tree that is 50 to 150 feet tall and near the water.   Choosing a high spot gives them a chance to see everything going on around them.   Eagles spend most of their day waiting for prey to come their way- so a good view is important to them.  Bald Eagles are at the top of their food chain, so they have the freedom to place their nests in the open without being preyed upon.  Being in the open also gives them the necessary space too take off and come in for landing.    Construction Site  Once a site has been selected, the eagle begins to gather materials, mostly sticks.   Scientists in Arizona measured the lengths of sticks used in many nests.  They found that they ranged in average from 9 to 98 inches long and .12 to 2 inches in diameter.  Like other birds, they typically gather what they can carry, put it into place, and gather more.  Both the male and female gather materials and build the nest.  Bald Eagles build their nest by placing sticks in layers.  The first layer is placed in the shape of a triangle.  The following layers follow the triangular pattern but are rotated.  Each stick has others woven in-between.  Eventually, after many, many layers, the nest begins to take shape. A nest built of sticks would not be comfortable for sitting or eaglets grow up in, so the completed nest is lined with moss, pine needles, or grasses.  The finished nest might look messy, but is actually very sturdy.  In fact, a human adult can be supported in a Bald Eagle's nest.