Important Facts About the Bald Eagle

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. They had never seen a bald eagle in Europe because the American bald Eagle is unique to 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. It's hard to mistake the bald eagle for any other type of bird, with its striking white head, its deep brown body and its stark white tail. Buildings and official seals have been emblazoned with the image of the bald eagle, as well as many U.S. coins and flags.

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 eats mainly waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, and fish, but also may indulge in small birds, rodents, snakes, rabbits, and even carrion when live prey is not available
The enormous adult bald eagle, with wingspans up to 7.5 feet, weighing up to 16 pounds, and with a length of up to 32 pounds, is a worthy adversary for any animal.
Florida is the home of the smaller bald eagles, and Alaska is home to the larger ones. The bald eagle is known to other animals as a fierce predator in whatever region it is found.

Bald eagles need plenty of space for hunting, requiring 2 to 15 square miles of hunting ground for every hunting pair. The fiercely guarded nest of the bald eagle is often the home for a pair of eagles. Bald eagles have been observed in some instances, such as along the Indian River lagoon in Central Florida, chasing down Ospreys with fresh catches. 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. Though most birds are not known for their monogamy, these birds mate for life. Though most birds live a much shorter time, the bald eagle can live for as many as 25 years. The bald eagle lives all over the North American continent, from Alaska nd Canada, across the continental U.S., and into Mexico.

The birds are frequent long-distance travelers, flying long distances north in the summer, but will mate within a few hundred miles of the place they were hatched. Breeding bald eagles lay one to three eggs in the spring, which hatch about 35 days later. It takes about three months for the babies to start flying, and after the fourth month, they fly away from the nest to strike out for themselves. 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 the government passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act to save the species 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. Take includes not just capturing or trapping the bald eagle, but also bothering them, shooting at them, and wounding or killing 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. When the law was enacted, it was thought that the species could not be saved from extinction.

Animals with very low populations could be legally classified as threatened by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the species with the lowest numbers could be classified as being endangered. The bald eagle was on most state's endangered species lists until the early 1990s, when the increasing numbers of the bird enabled its removal from the lists.

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 mighty bald eagle makes a wonderful bird watching experience. The long strides of the bald eagle as it launches leads into the soaring, slow motion movement of the bird in flight. The prize remains in its sight as it keeps steady on its path. The number of majestic bald eagles is steadily increasing all over North America. These beautiful animals should certainly be seen in person.

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Ryan Richardo writes about the bald eagle and the american bald eagle statue for OodlesOnBaldEagles.com.