Eagle

The Eagle, particularly the Bald Eagle, is a very majestic and strong bird, and in 1782 it was chosen as a national emblem of the United States. Known to appreciate freedom and independence, it symbolizes these two top values of the American democratic society. The Bald Eagle is depicted on the backs of coins, paper money and on the Great Seal of the United States.

Due to their size, American Bald Eagles have few enemies. They can be found anywhere across North America, but prefer not to get close to humans. Eagles usually dwell near water, because they take fish, and they prefer to nest in densely grown areas. Bald Eagles build nests in pine tree forests and groves to provide sufficient protection for their young.

The American Bald Eagle is a large raptor, its wingspan reaching 8 feet in width. The bird has very keen eyesight, enabling it to scan the area of about 3 square miles around when hovering in the air. No wonder, Eagles are so good at spotting fish in the water even though its back is darker than the belly and hence it is harder to seem from above. American Bald Eagles also take dead fish. Their ratio is not limited to fish, and Bald Eagles can also pick on waterfowl, reptiles, other small birds and sometimes domestic animals and poultry. In the wild, Eagles have hard time hunting, because only one out of 15-18 attacks is successful. Each species maintains a hunting range, the size of which depends on the amount of food available. Sometimes, Eagles patrol territories reaching 10,000 acres.

There are two types of the Bald Eagle: the southern and the northern. The southern Bald Eagle is smaller than the northern. They are sexually dimorphic, females being a little larger than males. Mature Eagles have a brown plumage on the back, sides and belly, with a white head, neck and tail. Bald Eagles reach puberty around 5 years old, and here they obtain the described color pattern. Bald Eagles have powerful legs with toes featuring sharp talons, which is a very effective weapon they use when hunting or fending for themselves.

American Bald Eagles live about 30 years, and they mate for life. If one of the pair dies, the remaining species finds a new mate. Mating seasons vary according to the type of climate. In the South they mate during fall, while in the Great Plains and Mountain West, Eagles prefer to mate in spring. Couples build large nests, where they lay eggs and raise their young. Bald Eagles usually lay 1-3 eggs. Young are born small and half-blind, covered with gray down. At this point, they cannot do without the protection of their parents. However, they grow and develop rapidly and start flying about 4 months after birth. They fledge not long before making their first flight and stay around the nest for about 5 weeks after that. Once the young Eagle is fit to fly and hunt, he leaves his parents.