| Did you know that the United States adopted the bald | | | | return close to the place where they were hatched in |
| eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation in | | | | order to begin families of their own. Breeding bald |
| 1782? European settlers in America, used to the sight | | | | eagles lay one to three eggs in the spring, which hatch |
| of the Sea Eagle in Europe, named the bald eagle, | | | | about 35 days later. The baby eagles live in the nest |
| believing the two birds were the same. There were no | | | | during the first three months, and then learn to fly for a |
| bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in | | | | month before leaving and beginning their own lives. The |
| North America. The scientific name of the bald eagle is | | | | bald eagle, despite the dangers of disease, hunger, bad |
| Haliaetus leucocephalus, which actually translates from | | | | weather, and toxic chemicals, still adapt to their |
| Latin and Greek into 'sea eagle with a white head.' We | | | | environments and live into their second year 70% of |
| still call them sea eagles to this day. | | | | the time. |
| The bald eagle is the only 'sea eagle' that is a native of | | | | Did you know that the U.S. Congress tried to help the |
| North America. There is no mistaking the bald eagle, | | | | species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in |
| with its deep brown feathers and contrasting white | | | | 1940? The law prohibits anyone from disturbing or |
| head and tail. Coins, flags, buildings, and seals in the | | | | bothering bald eagles. The law also prohibited taking |
| United States have used the image of the bald eagle | | | | the animals, their eggs, or their nests, for any reason |
| to symbolize the country. | | | | unless they have a permit. Take includes not just |
| These birds of prey are raptors, along with owls, | | | | capturing or trapping the bald eagle, but also bothering |
| hawks, vultures, and falcons. The bald eagle eats | | | | them, shooting at them, and wounding or killing them. |
| mainly waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, and fish, | | | | The overuse of pesticides commercially and |
| but also may indulge in small birds, rodents, snakes, | | | | residentially, as well as the use of DDT and other |
| rabbits, and even carrion when live prey is not available | | | | harmful chemicals, led to the steep decline of bald |
| Bald eagles are enormous and intimidating birds, with | | | | eagles. Reintroduction programs, some federally |
| adults growing to 32 inches in length, with wingspans to | | | | funded and some private, as well as new laws have |
| 7 feet, and weighing up to 16 pounds. | | | | given the bald eagle a chance to return in numbers. It |
| Alaska is home to the larger eagles, while the smaller | | | | seemed nearly impossible to save the species from |
| ones make their homes in Florida. Wherever they are, | | | | extinction at the time. |
| when animals see the bald eagle descending, they | | | | For species with small populations, and those with very |
| know to scatter. | | | | few animals left, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 |
| An area 2 to 15 miles square is the area needed for a | | | | allowed the legal classifications of endangered or |
| pair of bald eagles to hunt in. Each pair of bald eagles | | | | threatened. The dramatic return of the bald eagle |
| shares a nest, furiously guarding it from predators. Bald | | | | population removed it from most endangered species |
| eagles living along the Indian River lagoon located on | | | | lists in the early 1990s. |
| the Central Florida coast have been known to go after | | | | The dramatic increase in the number of bald eagles, up |
| Ospreys who have themselves caught a meal. The | | | | from almost 500 pairs in 1963, to about 5,000 pairs in |
| Osprey usually drops its hard-won catch in order to | | | | 1994, encouraged Congress to upgrade the species to |
| escape the powerful eagle, and the eagle, not at all | | | | threatened on August 11, 1995. As the number of bald |
| fussy about its meals, will then eat it. | | | | eagles increase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has |
| Although they are birds of prey, the bald eagle shows | | | | plans to remove the bird from the endangered species |
| a tremendous instinct for family loyalty. This species | | | | list altogether. |
| chooses its mate for life, unlike most birds. The bald | | | | The bald eagle is a pleasure to watch. The bald eagle |
| eagle in the wild can live to be 25 years old, though | | | | takes off with strides that are powerful and |
| most birds do not live to be this age. They live across | | | | purposeful. The eagle soars as if in slow motion. The |
| North America, from the north, including Canada and | | | | eagle stays fixed on its path, the prize kept firmly in |
| Alaska, across the middle expanses of the U.S., and | | | | sight. The number of majestic bald eagles is steadily |
| south into the northern part of Mexico. | | | | increasing all over North America. Take any |
| The bald eagle travels frequently, flying to northern | | | | opportunity to see these magnificent animals. |
| climates to escape hot summers, the birds usually | | | | |