Did you know that the United States adopted the bald eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation in 1782? The bald eagle is native to North America, making it a new sight for the Europeans. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The scientific name of the bald eagle is Haliaetus leucocephalus, which actually translates from Latin and Greek into 'sea eagle with a white head.' We still call them sea eagles to this day.

North America is the home of only one variety of 'sea eagle'- the bald eagle. Its appearance is unmistakable by its white head and white tail set against the backdrop of its beautiful, plush, deep chocolate-colored body. The bald eagle's image has been used on many items over the years, including coins, flags, seals, and on buildings.

The powerful bald eagle is a type of raptor, as are hawks, vultures, falcons, and owls. The bald eagle lives on a diet of live prey, such as waterfowl and fish, as well as rodents, snakes, rabbits, and birds, but they will eat carrion when there is no live prey to be eaten. Bald eagles are enormous and intimidating birds, with adults growing to 32 inches in length, with wingspans to 7 feet, and weighing up to 16 pounds. Alaska is home to the larger eagles, while the smaller ones make their homes in Florida. Even small bald eagles intimidate the other animals in the region, and they scatter whenever the mighty bird begins to land.

Each hunting pair of bald eagles requires an area of 2 to 15 square miles in which to hunt. The fiercely guarded nest of the bald eagle is often the home for a pair of eagles. Bald eagles have been observed in some instances, such as along the Indian River lagoon in Central Florida, chasing down Ospreys with fresh catches. The Osprey will drop its mullet to evade the chasing eagle, and the eagle then has a fresh meal.

Although they are birds of prey, the bald eagle shows a tremendous instinct for family loyalty. 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. The bald eagle lives all over the North American continent, from Alaska nd Canada, across the continental U.S., and into Mexico.

Bald eagles travel far each year in search of cooler weather in the hot summer months, then go back to the area where they hatched, usually mating within a few hundred miles of the area. When spring arrives, bald eagles of breeding age can lay between one and three eggs, which hatch in around 35 days. After three months in the nest, the baby bald eagles begin to fly, and a month later fly away from their mother for good. Despite the ever-present dangers that exist to young eagles, including disease, chemicals, harsh weather, and food shortages, almost 70% of baby eagles adapt and live past their first year.

Did you know that to save the species in 1940 the United States Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act? The Act protected bald eagles by making it illegal for anyone to bother or disturb these birds. It also protected them by making it illegal to take the birds or their nests or eggs, in order to buy, sell, trade, own, import or export them. To take the bald eagle means shooting at them, wounding or killing them, capturing or trapping them, or even disturbing them.

The bald eagle began to die off due to pesticide overuse and DDT and other toxic chemicals. The bald eagle was given a chance to return in numbers thanks to new laws and many reintroduction programs, both federally and privately funded. In those days, many people thought it might be too late to save the bald eagle as in neared extinction.

In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act, enabling low and very low population animals to have a legal classification of threatened or endangered. Bald eagles stayed on most states' endangered species lists until the 1990s, when the species began to dramatically increase in numbers.

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. The bald eagle will soon by removed from the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, due to the increasing population of these birds.

Watching these magnificent birds is a pleasure. The soaring eagle's flight appears to be in slow motion. It begins with the powerful bird's long and deliberate strides. The eagle remains determined, keeping a fixed eye on its prize. The efforts made to revive the species have been successful, leaving a majestic presence in the skies. Everyone should make an effort to see this animal.

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