In 1782 the bald eagle was chosen to represent the United States and has remained its national bird ever since. There were no
bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The scientific name of the bald eagle is Haliaetus leucocephalus, which actually translates from Latin and Greek into 'sea eagle with a white head.' We still call them sea eagles to this day.
The bald eagle remains the only North American 'sea eagle.' There is no mistaking the bald eagle, with its deep brown feathers and contrasting white head and tail. Buildings and official seals have been emblazoned with the image of the bald eagle, as well as many U.S. coins and flags.
The bald eagle is a fierce bird of prey, along with other raptors, such as hawks, vultures, owls, and falcons. The bald eagle lives on a diet of live prey, such as waterfowl and fish, as well as rodents, snakes, rabbits, and birds, but they will eat carrion when there is no live prey to be eaten.
Bald eagles are enormous and intimidating birds, with adults growing to 32 inches in length, with wingspans to 7 feet, and weighing up to 16 pounds.
The largest eagles live in Alaska, and the smaller eagles can be found in Florida. Even small bald eagles intimidate the other animals in the region, and they scatter whenever the mighty bird begins to land.
An area 2 to 15 miles square is the area needed for a pair of bald eagles to hunt in. The fiercely guarded nest of the bald eagle is often the home for a pair of eagles. Bald eagles living along the Indian River lagoon located on the Central Florida coast have been known to go after Ospreys who have themselves caught a meal. The eagle, unfussy about its meal, will eat the second hand catch when the Osprey drops it to get away from the pursuing eagle.
Bald eagles have a strong loyalty for their families, though they are actually birds of prey. Though most birds are not known for their monogamy, these birds mate for life. The bald eagle in the wild can live to be 25 years old, though most birds do not live to be this age. The bald eagle can be found in many areas of North America, from Alaska, to Mexico, and all over the continental United States and Canada.
The bald eagle travels frequently, flying to northern climates to escape hot summers, the birds usually return close to the place where they were hatched in order to begin families of their own. When spring arrives, bald eagles of breeding age can lay between one and three eggs, which hatch in around 35 days. After three months in the nest, the baby bald eagles begin to fly, and a month later fly away from their mother for good. The dangers of hunger, disease, harsh weather, and toxic chemicals can all make life hard for baby eagles, but almost 70% manage to adapt and survive for at least a year.
Were you aware that the United States Congress attempted to save the species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940? The Act protected bald eagles by making it illegal for anyone to bother or disturb these birds. It also protected them by making it illegal to take the birds or their nests or eggs, in order to buy, sell, trade, own, import or export them. To take the bald eagle means shooting at them, wounding or killing them, capturing or trapping them, or even disturbing them.
The bald eagle began to die off due to pesticide overuse and DDT and other toxic chemicals. Reintroduction programs, some federally funded and some private, as well as new laws have given the bald eagle a chance to return in numbers. It was believes at the time that the species might have no road back from extinction.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed species that were small in numbers to be classified as threatened, and species with very low populations to be classified as endangered. The dramatic return of the bald eagle population removed it from most endangered species lists in the early 1990s.
The bald eagle was reclassified by Congress as threatened on August 11, 1995, after its numbers grew from 500 pairs in 1963 to 5,000 pairs in 1994. The bald eagle will soon by removed from the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, due to the increasing population of these birds.
The bald eagle is a pleasure to watch. The bald eagle takes off with strides that are powerful and purposeful. The eagle soars as if in slow motion. The determined eagle keeps to its determined path, its prize kept in sight. The number of majestic bald eagles is steadily increasing all over North America. Make the time to see these wonderful animals for yourself.
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