Bald Eagle

When I was in school the Bald Eagle was on the Endangered Species List. I recieved an email this morning and saw this picture taken by my aunt at their farm...



I thought I would pull some facts on this beautiful creature. I hope you learn something today....LOL

General Facts about the Bald Eagle
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a member of the sea and fish eagle group.


Color - Both male and female adult bald eagles have a blackish-brown back and breast; a white head, neck, and tail; and yellow feet and bill.


Juvenile bald eagles are a mixture of brown and white.


Size - The female bald eagle is 35 to 37 inches, slightly larger than the male.


Wingspan ranges from 72 to 90 inches.


Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph.


Bald eagles weigh from ten to fourteen pounds.


Eagle bones are light, because they are hollow.


The beak, talons, and feathers are made of keratin.


Bald eagles have 7,000 feathers.


Longevity - Wild bald eagles may live as long as thirty years.


Bald eagles sit at the top of the food chain


Lifting power is about 4 pounds.


Diet - Mainly fish, but they will take advantage of carrion (dead and decaying flesh).


The eagle is a strong swimmer, but if the water is very cold, it may be overcome by hypothermia.


Hunting area varies from 1,700 to 10,000 acres. Home ranges are smaller where food is present in great quantity.


All eagles are renowned for their excellent eyesight.


Nests are built in large trees near rivers or coasts.


An eagle reaches sexual maturity at around four or five years of age.


Fidelity - Once paired, bald eagles remain together until one dies.


Eagles lay from one to three eggs.


The 35 days of incubation duties are shared by both male and female.


Nesting cycle - about 20 weeks


Today, there are an estimated 7,066 nesting pairs of bald eagles.


Eagles molt in patches, taking almost half a year to replace feathers, starting with the head and working downward.


The Eagle became the National emblem in 1782 when the great seal of the United States was adopted.


Causes of death - Fatal gun shot wounds, electrocution, poisoning, collisions with vehicles, and starvation.


The bald eagle is closer to being delisted. The USFWS issued guidelines on how the bald eagle should be protected by landowners and others, once it's no longer safeguarded as a "threatened" species. There are proposals which prohibit disturbing the bald eagle, which include disruption of its breeding, feeding or sheltering practices, which could cause death, injury or nest abandonment. Officials said the action could lead to the removal of the bald eagle from the "threatened" species list within the next year or so.