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