Did you know that the bald eagle has symbolized America, as well as being its national bird, since 1782? There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The bald eagle has the scientific name Haliaetus leucocephalus, meaning 'sea eagle with a white head' in Latin and Greek, and the birds are still known as sea eagles.

The only so-called 'sea eagle' in North America is the bald eagle. The bald eagle is immediately obvious by its smooth, white head and white tail, contrasted by the deep brown feathers of its body. 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 one type of raptor- other birds of prey in this category include owls, vultures, falcons, hawks, and other eagles. The bald eagle eats mainly waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, and fish, but also may indulge in small birds, rodents, snakes, rabbits, and even carrion when live prey is not available The enormous adult bald eagle, with wingspans up to 7.5 feet, weighing up to 16 pounds, and with a length of up to 32 pounds, is a worthy adversary for any animal. The largest eagles live in Alaska, and the smaller eagles can be found in Florida. Wherever the bald eagle lives, the animals in the region scatter when the bird begins to land.

An area 2 to 15 miles square is the area needed for a pair of bald eagles to hunt in. The fiercely guarded nest of the bald eagle is often the home for a pair of eagles. 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 eagle, unfussy about its meal, will eat the second hand catch when the Osprey drops it to get away from the pursuing eagle.

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. Compared to the much shorter life spans of other birds, the bald eagle has a span of as many as 25 years. The bald eagle can be found in many areas of North America, from Alaska, to Mexico, and all over the continental United States and Canada.

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. When spring arrives, bald eagles of breeding age can lay between one and three eggs, which hatch in around 35 days. It takes about three months for the babies to start flying, and after the fourth month, they fly away from the nest to strike out for themselves. The bald eagle, despite the dangers of disease, hunger, bad weather, and toxic chemicals, still adapt to their environments and live into their second year 70% of the time.

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 an eagle included shooting at the birds, wounding them, trapping, capturing, disturbing them, or killing them in any manner.

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. New laws and reintroduction programs for the bald eagle have given the birds a chance to survive. In those days, many people thought it might be too late to save the bald eagle as in neared extinction.

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. The dramatic return of the bald eagle population removed it from most endangered species lists in the early 1990s.

The bald eagle has dramatically increased in numbers between 1963 and 1994, rising from about 500 pairs to almost 5,000 pairs and leading Congress to reclassify its status as threatened. 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 mighty bald eagle makes a wonderful bird watching experience. The soaring eagle's flight appears to be in slow motion. It begins with the powerful bird's long and deliberate strides. 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. Everyone should make an effort to see this animal.

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