Did you know that the United States adopted the bald eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation in 1782? There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. Because the bald eagle is found only in North America, the European settlers had never seen one. 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.

North America is the home of only one variety of 'sea eagle'- the bald eagle. 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. Coins, flags, buildings, and seals in the United States have used the image of the bald eagle to symbolize the country.

Bald eagles are fierce and powerful birds of prey as are all raptors, which include the hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures, and owls. 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 Few animals dare stand in the way of the bald eagle, who can reach an adult size of 16 pounds, with wingspans of 7.5 feet and lengths of 32 inches. In Alaska, the largest eagles can be found, while the smaller varieties live in Florida. Even small bald eagles intimidate the other animals in the region, and they scatter whenever the mighty bird begins to land.

The area required for a pair of bald eagles to hunt in is large- anywhere from 2 to 15 square miles. 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.

These powerful birds of prey retain a strong instinct toward family loyalty. Bald eagles keep the same mate for life, unlike most species of bird. 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.

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. In the springtime, the bald eagle can lay one to three eggs, each hatching in 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. 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.

Were you aware that the United States Congress attempted to save the species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940? The Act protected bald eagles by making it illegal for anyone to bother or disturb these birds. It also protected them by making it illegal to take the birds or their nests or eggs, in order to buy, sell, trade, own, import or export them. Taking the bald eagle includes killing or wounding the birds, as well as shooting at them, capturing them, or disturbing 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. In those days, many people thought it might be too late to save the bald eagle as in neared 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. 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. 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.

Watching these magnificent birds is a pleasure. The bald eagle takes long strides, each deliberate and powerful as it launches into its slow-motion soaring flight. The prize remains in its sight as it keeps steady on its path. The efforts made to revive the species have been successful, leaving a majestic presence in the skies. These beautiful animals should certainly be seen in person.

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