Did you know that the bald eagle has symbolized America, as well as being its national bird, since 1782? Because the Sea Eagle was so common in Europe at the time, settlers in the 18th century gave the bald eagle its name, thinking it was the same bird. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The bald eagle has the scientific name Haliaetus leucocephalus, meaning 'sea eagle with a white head' in Latin and Greek, and the birds are still known as sea eagles.
Of the 'sea eagle' species, the bald eagle is the only one that is native to North America. Its appearance is unmistakable by its white head and white tail set against the backdrop of its beautiful, plush, deep chocolate-colored body. Many items, such as U.S. coins, flags, seals, and even buildings, have used the bald eagle's image as a symbol of the nation.
Bald eagles are one type of raptor- other birds of prey in this category include owls, vultures, falcons, hawks, and other eagles. 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.
Few animals dare stand in the way of the bald eagle, who can reach an adult size of 16 pounds, with wingspans of 7.5 feet and lengths of 32 inches.
The largest eagles live in Alaska, and the smaller eagles can be found in Florida. Wherever the bald eagle lives, the animals in the region scatter when the bird begins to land.
Each hunting pair of bald eagles requires an area of 2 to 15 square miles in which to hunt. A pair of bald eagles has only one nest, which they fiercely guard. 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 Osprey usually drops its hard-won catch in order to escape the powerful eagle, and the eagle, not at all fussy about its meals, will then eat it.
Although they are birds of prey, the bald eagle shows a tremendous instinct for family loyalty. The bald eagle stays with its mate for life, though few other birds follow this behavior. Compared to the much shorter life spans of other birds, the bald eagle has a span of as many as 25 years. From Northern Mexico, all over the continental United States, and up into Alaska and Canada, the bald eagle resides in much of the continent.
Bald eagles travel far each year in search of cooler weather in the hot summer months, then go back to the area where they hatched, usually mating within a few hundred miles of the area. Breeding bald eagles lay one to three eggs in the spring, which hatch about 35 days later. 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 bald eagle, despite the dangers of disease, hunger, bad weather, and toxic chemicals, still adapt to their environments and live into their second year 70% of the time.
Did you know that the U.S. Congress tried to help the species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940? The law prohibits anyone from disturbing or bothering bald eagles. The law also prohibited taking the animals, their eggs, or their nests, for any reason unless they have a permit. 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. The bald eagle was given a chance to return in numbers thanks to new laws and many reintroduction programs, both federally and privately funded. When the law was enacted, it was thought that the species could not be saved from extinction.
In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act, enabling low and very low population animals to have a legal classification of threatened or endangered. Bald eagles stayed on most states' endangered species lists until the 1990s, when the species began to dramatically increase in numbers.
The 500 pairs of bald eagles that existed in 1963 rose 10 fold to almost 5,000 pairs in 1994, resulting in Congress declaring the species threatened, not endangered, on August 11, 1995. Because the number of bald eagles has increased, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has made pans for removing the bird from the list of endangered species.
The bald eagle is a pleasure to watch. The soaring eagle's flight appears to be in slow motion. It begins with the powerful bird's long and deliberate strides. The prize remains in its sight as it keeps steady on its path. The efforts made to revive the species have been successful, leaving a majestic presence in the skies. Everyone should make an effort to see this animal.
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