American Eagle

The Bald Eagle is the only North American Eagle, and it is the largest bird on the continent. Its scientific name – Haliaeetus leucocephalus – stands for “sea” (halo), aeetus” (eagle), and “white” (leukos). To first American settlers, the word “bald” meant “white”, not hairless. Bald Eagles were termed so because of their white heads contrasting their dark brown bodies. Today, the Bald Eagle is the National Emblem of America, being depicted on coins, seals and other objects.

Bald Eagles are found almost all the way across North America from Alaska down to northern Mexico. There are two types of the Bald Eagle; the “northern” and the “southern”. The “northern” Bald Eagle is found in the northwest and Alaska, and is slightly larger than the “southern” subspecies. The “southern” Eagle ranges from Texas to South Carolina and Florida. The 40 degree parallel is a sort of demarcation line between the ranges of these two subspecies. Both these American Eagles cross this line, “northern” Eagles flying into the southern area, and “southern” Eagles visiting northern regions.

A Bald Eagle usually stands 30-35 inches tall, and its wingspan reaches 5.5-8ft. American Bald Eagles are raptors. They usually pick up dead or dying fish, but they also take small birds and reptiles. During winter months, with little living prey available, American Eagles may feed on dead animals. Bald Eagles are mostly concentrated near water perching on tall trees and rocks, from where they can easily spot prey.

Bald Eagles mature by age of 5-six years old. Only adults have white heads and tails, while young eagles’ heads are brown and tails are yellow. Eagles nest near water, and they usually pick up areas surrounded by tall pine trees. Females do most of the nest-building work. Nests are usually made from sticks, grass, stones and mud, and they usually reach 6 ft wide and about 10 ft deep. “Northern” Eagles breed in spring, and “southern” Eagles usually mate in winter. Bald Eagles are monogamous, i. e. they mate for lifetime. The male and the female share the responsibility of incubating, weaning and raising their young.

In 1967, American Eagles were declared endangered due to massed poisoning and killing. It was not until 1995 that the Bald Eagle was upgraded to “threatened”. On June 28, 2007, the American Bald Eagle was withdrawn from the endangered list. Today, the American Eagle is protected by the migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, prohibiting capturing, transporting and all sorts of trade in Eagles or Eagle parts.