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