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In 1782 the bald eagle was chosen to represent the United States and has remained its national bird ever since. The bald eagle is native to North America, making it a new sight for the Europeans. No European has ever seen a bald eagle, as they were native only to North America. The bald eagle is still referred to as a sea eagle, and the scientific name of the bird is Haliaetus leucocephalus, which in Greek and Latin means 'sea eagle with a white head.'

Of the 'sea eagle' species, the bald eagle is the only one that is native to North America. There is no mistaking the bald eagle, with its deep brown feathers and contrasting white head and tail. Many items, such as U.S. coins, flags, seals, and even buildings, have used the bald eagle's image as a symbol of the nation.

Bald eagles are fierce and powerful birds of prey as are all raptors, which include the hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures, and owls. Bald eagles live mainly on a diet of waterfowl and fish, but may also eat animals such as snakes, rodents, birds, and rabbits, and when these live specimens are not available they may also eat carrion. The adult bald eagle has few natural enemies, especially considering their size of up to 16 pounds, wingspans of 7 feet, and a length of up to 32 inches. In Alaska, the largest eagles can be found, while the smaller varieties live in Florida. Wherever the bald eagle lives, the animals in the region scatter when the bird begins to land.

Bald eagles require a very large hunting ground, an area of 2 to 15 square miles per hunting pair. Bald eagle pairs live in a shared nest, keeping it closely guarded from harm. The bald eagle sometimes chases animals that have made a catch of their own, such as the east Central Florida bald eagles that chase Ospreys along the Indian River lagoon. The Osprey will drop its mullet to evade the chasing eagle, and the eagle then has a fresh meal.

These birds of prey leave the aggression to hunting and are fiercely loyal to their families. Bald eagles keep the same mate for life, unlike most species of bird. Most birds live only a few years, but the bald eagle in the wild can live to be as old as 25. They live across North America, from the north, including Canada and Alaska, across the middle expanses of the U.S., and south into the northern part of Mexico.

Though leaving the place they were hatched and flying long distances in search of ideal cool summer weather, the bald eagle usually returns to the area when it comes time to mate. In the spring, one to three eggs can be laid by the breeding bald eagle, which then hatch after about 35 days. The baby eagles live in the nest during the first three months, and then learn to fly for a month before leaving and beginning their own lives. Almost 70% of young eagles will survive their first year of life, adapting to their environment despite the dangers of food shortages, bad weather, illnesses and toxic chemicals.

Did you know the government passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act to save the species in 1940? The law prohibits anyone from disturbing or bothering bald eagles. The law also prohibited taking the animals, their eggs, or their nests, for any reason unless they have a permit. Taking the bald eagle includes killing or wounding the birds, as well as shooting at them, capturing them, or disturbing them.

The overuse of pesticides commercially and residentially, as well as the use of DDT and other harmful chemicals, led to the steep decline of bald eagles. Reintroduction programs, some federally funded and some private, as well as new laws have given the bald eagle a chance to return in numbers. The bald eagle was so near to extinction that many thought it impossible to save the species.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed species that were small in numbers to be classified as threatened, and species with very low populations to be classified as endangered. In the early 1990s, the rapidly increasing numbers of bald eagles made it possible for the species to be taken off the endangered species lists in most states.

The 500 pairs of bald eagles that existed in 1963 rose 10 fold to almost 5,000 pairs in 1994, resulting in Congress declaring the species threatened, not endangered, on August 11, 1995. With the increasing population of the bald eagle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service will soon take the bird off the endangered species list.

The bald eagle is a pleasure to watch. The long strides of the bald eagle as it launches leads into the soaring, slow motion movement of the bird in flight. The determined eagle keeps to its determined path, its prize kept in sight. From one end of the continent to the other, the majestic presence of the bald eagle is increasing. These beautiful animals should certainly be seen in person.

OodlesOnBaldEagles.com provides interesting bald eagle facts as well as american bald eagle statues and other bald eagle shopping such as the Eagles Soft Landing In Snow.

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