Interesting Bald Eagle Facts

Did you know that the United States adopted the bald eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation in 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 is still called the sea eagle, as evidenced by its scientific name, Haliaetus leucocephalus, meaning 'sea eagle with a white head.'

The only so-called 'sea eagle' in North America is 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.

These birds of prey are raptors, along with owls, hawks, vultures, and falcons. Bald eagles live mainly on a diet of waterfowl and fish, but may also eat animals such as snakes, rodents, birds, and rabbits, and when these live specimens are not available they may also eat carrion.
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.
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.

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. 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.

Bald eagles have a strong loyalty for their families, though they are actually birds of prey. The bald eagle stays with its mate for life, though few other birds follow this behavior. Most birds live only a few years, but the bald eagle in the wild can live to be as old as 25. From Northern Mexico, all over the continental United States, and up into Alaska and Canada, the bald eagle resides in much of the continent.

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. In the spring, one to three eggs can be laid by the breeding bald eagle, which then hatch after about 35 days. It takes about three months for the newly hatched baby eagles to begin flying, and another month before they fly away and live on their own. Almost 70% of young eagles will survive their first year of life, adapting to their environment despite the dangers of food shortages, bad weather, illnesses and toxic chemicals.

Did you know that the U.S. Congress tried to help the species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940? 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.

Toxic chemicals in the environment, including DDT and commercial and residential pesticides, led to a mass die-off of the bald eagle. The bald eagle was given a chance to return in numbers thanks to new laws and many reintroduction programs, both federally and privately funded. The bald eagle was so near to extinction that many thought it impossible to save the species.

In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act, enabling low and very low population animals to have a legal classification of threatened or 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 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.

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 skies of North America are increasingly filled with the majestic bald eagle. Take any opportunity to see these magnificent animals.

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