American Bald Eagle Facts

In 1782 the bald eagle was chosen to represent the United States and has remained its national bird ever since. European settlers in America, used to the sight of the Sea Eagle in Europe, named the bald eagle, believing the two birds were the same. They had never seen a bald eagle in Europe because the American bald Eagle is unique to 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.

North America is the home of only one variety of 'sea eagle'- the bald eagle. The bald eagle has a striking appearance, with its dark brown feathers set off by the stark white feathers of its tail and head. The bald eagle's image has been used on many items over the years, including coins, flags, seals, and on buildings.

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
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. 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 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 are social animals, staying loyal to family even as they remain fierce birds of prey. The bald eagle stays with its mate for life, though few other birds follow this behavior. 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 lives all over the North American continent, from Alaska nd Canada, across the continental U.S., and into Mexico.

Even though these great travelers fly long distances to summer in the cooler weather of the northern United States and Canada, when it comes time to mate, they generally retrace their paths and nest within just a hundred or two miles from where they were hatched. In the springtime, the bald eagle can lay one to three eggs, each hatching in about 35 days. The baby eagles live in the nest during the first three months, and then learn to fly for a month before leaving and beginning their own lives. 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? 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 overuse of pesticides commercially and residentially, as well as the use of DDT and other harmful chemicals, led to the steep decline of bald eagles. 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.

For species with small populations, and those with very few animals left, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed the legal classifications of endangered or threatened. Bald eagles stayed on most states' endangered species lists until the 1990s, when the species began to dramatically increase in numbers.

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. As the number of bald eagles increase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to remove the bird from the endangered species list altogether.

The mighty bald eagle makes a wonderful bird watching experience. The soaring eagle's flight appears to be in slow motion. It begins with the powerful bird's long and deliberate strides. The determined eagle keeps to its determined path, its prize kept in sight. The efforts made to revive the species have been successful, leaving a majestic presence in the skies. Take any opportunity to see these magnificent animals.