| The American Bald Eagle was unofficially chosen as a | | | | hatching in late May or early June), monitoring the |
| National Symbol in 1872, when the Constitution of the | | | | nest, and brooding/feeding the eaglets until they are |
| United States was ratified. It was not officially | | | | large enough to fly and leave the nest. This occurs |
| nominated as such until 1788. There was a heated | | | | when the eaglets are about 12 weeks old. They |
| debate, led by the great statesman Benjamin Franklin, | | | | develop special flight feathers, which make them look |
| about this bird becoming the National Bird. Mr. Franklin | | | | larger than their parents, that serve as extra balance |
| wanted the turkey which he thought better | | | | (sort of like training wheels on a bicycle) while they |
| symbolized the clean, honest, and more | | | | learn to fly.Hatchlings are light grey when born, and |
| straightforward ideals of the American people. His bid | | | | turn dark brown before leaving the nest. Young |
| was lost, however, in 1789 when George Washington | | | | adults have brown and white mottled feathers |
| became the first President of the USA, and the Bald | | | | beneath their wings until they reach 5 years of age. |
| Eagle was officially adopted as the "First Bird".The | | | | At 5 years, the head and tail feathers turn white. |
| American Bald Eagle is the only eagle which is native | | | | The mature bird is not actually bald. "Bald", at one |
| to North America and it's only on its native continent | | | | time, meant "white". Thus the name, "bald eagle". |
| that one may find it. Alaska, the 49th State admitted | | | | Between the fourth and fifth years, the beak and |
| to the Union, is home to about 35,000 of the 70,000 | | | | eyes take on the distinctive yellow color. To see a |
| total population. British Columbia boasts about 20,000, | | | | mature Bald Eagle up close is awe-inspiring. To see |
| and the rest predominantly inhabit the Pacific | | | | one in flight is an experience to cherish for a |
| coastline, with a few scattered throughout the rest | | | | lifetime.Preservation EffortsIn spite of the "National |
| of the United States. Population is heaviest in the | | | | Symbols Act" and the "Bald and Gold Eagle |
| Pacific Northwest due, in part, to the large amount of | | | | Preservation Act," which were both passed in 1940, |
| salmon found there. Eagles depend greatly on fish as | | | | the Bald Eagle population declined rapidly because |
| a main part of their diets. They will eat small animals | | | | farmers killed them for fear of the harm that they |
| such as mice, rabbits, muskrats, duck and snakes and | | | | could do to their livestock. Hunters and poachers |
| they will resort to eating carrion (dead animals), if | | | | killed them as trophies and for profit, and many were |
| necessary. However, they prefer that their food be | | | | killed accidentally. This seriously alarmed |
| of a fresh source and they are partial to fish.While | | | | preservationists. Therefore the American Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle are capable of carrying their food in flight, | | | | was officially declared an "Endangered Species" in |
| they can actually only lift about half of their body | | | | 1947, under a law which preceded the "Endangered |
| weight. Although they can dive, catch fish in the | | | | Species Act" of 1973. Until 1995, they were listed as |
| water, and swim to shore with them, they have also | | | | endangered in 43 of the 48 contiguous United States. |
| been known to drown if the fish is too big and they | | | | Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, and |
| don't let go of it.The body length, for both males and | | | | Washington State listed them as "threatened". In |
| females, ranges between 29 and 42 inches (73.66 to | | | | 1995, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) |
| 106.68 centimeters). The male is usually between 7 | | | | upgraded their status to threatened in the other 43 |
| and 9 pounds (.497 to .639 stone) and has a | | | | states.In February of 2006 an announcement was |
| wingspan which can exceed 6 feet (1.83 meters). | | | | made that the USFWS had issued guidelines on how |
| The female is larger and can weigh up to 14 pounds | | | | the species should be protected by landowners and |
| (.99 stone). She can have a wingspan of up to 8 feet | | | | others, once the bird is no longer listed as a |
| (2.44 meters).In level flight, the Bald Eagle has been | | | | threatened species. Those guidelines include proposals |
| recorded at speeds up to 44 miles per hour (70.1 | | | | for laws which prohibit disrupting the bird's breeding, |
| kmp). It can dive (and has been clocked) at speeds | | | | sheltering, or feeding practices or disturbing it in any |
| of 75 to 100 mph (120.68 to 160.39 kmp). The eagle | | | | manner which could cause injury, death, or nest |
| is capable of riding the thermal air currents in excess | | | | abandonment. Should those proposals be solidified and |
| of 10000 feet (3048 meters) and can stay aloft | | | | approved, it could lead to the removal of the Bald |
| doing this for hours at a time.This species of bird | | | | Eagle from the "threatened" list.It should be noted |
| mates for life, and will only seek another mate if their | | | | that even if the new guidelines are approved, the |
| "spouse" dies. They build an "eyrie (also spelled aerie)" | | | | American Bald Eagle is still protected under the |
| in which they incubate their eggs and raise their | | | | "Migratory Bird Treaty Act", the "Bald and Gold Eagle |
| eaglets until those leave the nest at 12 weekS. An | | | | Preservation Act", and the "National Symbols Act". It |
| eyrie, or nest, can be built in the tops of giant trees | | | | is illegal to possess, take, barter, trade, sell, transport, |
| (quite often aspens) or on a ledge of a mountain. | | | | import, or export eagles. And it is illegal to collect |
| The eagles habitually add to their nests until they | | | | eagles or their body parts, nests, or eggs without a |
| reach up to 10 feet (2.54 meters) in diameter. The | | | | special permit. Possession of a feather, or other body |
| eyries are lined with soft materials such as leaves, | | | | parts, is a felony which can carry a fine up to |
| feathers, and moss to provide a suitable area for | | | | $10,000 USD and/or imprisonment and this is very |
| incubating the eggs once the female lays them.The | | | | strictly enforced. However, federally recognized |
| eggs are usually laid at the end of April, following a | | | | Native Americans are still permitted to possess those |
| fascinating "courtship dance" in early April, which the | | | | emblems which are traditional to their culture.One can |
| eagles perform in midair. They dive and climb, and | | | | learn more about these magnificent, beautiful, and |
| look to be attacking (locking talons, or claws with) | | | | majestic birds and how to help with the continuing |
| each other during this flight sequence.After the eggs | | | | preservation efforts by visiting the many websites |
| are laid, the male and the female take turns in | | | | devoted to them. |
| hunting, incubating the eggs (34 to 35 days, usually | | | | |