Many people don't know that the bald eagle has been the symbol of the
United States and the nation's national bird since 1782. Sea Eagles, so
common in 18th century Europe, were a common sight to America's early
settlers, and it is from mistaking the two birds that the bald eagle
got its name. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is
found only in North America. The sea eagle name lingers, and the
scientific name, Haliaetus leucocephalus, actually means "sea eagle
with a white head" in Greek and Latin.
Of the 'sea eagle' species, the bald eagle is the only one that is
native to North America. The bald eagle is immediately obvious by its
smooth, white head and white tail, contrasted by the deep brown
feathers of its body. Coins, flags, buildings, and seals in the United
States have used the image of the bald eagle to symbolize the country.
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 ½ feet, and weighing up to 16
pounds.
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. Each pair of bald eagles shares a nest,
furiously guarding it from predators. The bald eagle sometimes chases
animals that have made a catch of their own, such as the east Central
Florida bald eagles that chase Ospreys along the Indian River lagoon.
The eagle will then get to eat the Osprey's catch, as the Osprey drops
its squirming prey to escape the eagle.
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. Though most birds
live a much shorter time, the bald eagle can live for as many as 25
years. They live across North America, from the north, including Canada
and Alaska, across the middle expanses of the U.S., and south into the
northern part of Mexico.
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. 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
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.
Did you know that to save the species in 1940 the United States
Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act? This law made it illegal
for people to disturb or bother the birds. This also included taking
bald eagles for reasons such as selling, trading, or transporting them,
and also included their eggs and nests. Taking an eagle included
shooting at the birds, wounding them, trapping, capturing, disturbing
them, or killing them in any manner.
Large numbers of bald eagles died because of DTT, the overuse of
pesticides, and other toxic chemicals. The bald eagle was given a
chance to be saved by the many reintroduction programs and new laws
that were enacted to help them. It seemed nearly impossible to save the
species from extinction at the time.
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. In the early 1990s, the
rapidly increasing numbers of bald eagles made it possible for the
species to be taken off the endangered species lists in most states.
The bald eagle has dramatically increased in numbers between 1963 and
1994, rising from about 500 pairs to almost 5,000 pairs and leading
Congress to reclassify its status as threatened. With the increasing
population of the bald eagle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service will
soon take the bird off the endangered species list.
To observe the bald eagle is a pleasurable experience. The long strides
of the bald eagle as it launches leads into the soaring, slow motion
movement of the bird in flight. The determined eagle keeps to its
determined path, its prize kept in sight. The skies of North America
are increasingly filled with the majestic bald eagle. Everyone should
make an effort to see this animal.
Ryan Orlancia is a writer for http://www.OodlesOnBaldEagles.com
OodlesOnBaldEagles.com offers american bald eagle facts and a bald
eagle shopping section where you can find American bald eagle statues
[http://www.oodlesonbaldeagles.com/category/bald-eagle-shopping] and
other bald eagle shopping items.
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