| Animal | Bald Eagle |
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Type | Bird |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Lifespan | Up to 28 years |
| Size | Body: 86.3 – 109.2 cm; Wingspan: 1.8 – 4.4 meters |
| Weight | 2.9 – 6.3 kg |
| Domain | Eukaryote |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Conservation status | Least concern > Near threatened > Vulnerable > Endangered > Critically endangered > Extinct in the wild > Extinct |
Bald eagles were the United States’ national symbol ever since 1782. The reason for bald eagles’ name including the word “bald” isn’t because the bird actually is bald, but rather because its head is white and the Anglo-Saxon (old English) word for white is “balde.”
Bald eagles almost went extinct. For tens of years, these birds were hunted for “protection” of the fishing grounds and for sport too. Chemicals such as DDT also caused trouble with them because they end up in fish, which eagles eat. These chemicals can limit the ability to reproduce. Laws against DDT were made in 1972 and bald eagle numbers went up. Now, they are marked as “Least Concern” by ICUN.
These eagles mate for their whole lives. A couple make a large nest of sticks high up in trees, and care for a pair of eggs every year. Eaglets (young eagles) don’t have any white markings until the age of five. They can travel a lot in just a single day.
In order to catch fish, bald eagles use their talons. They also steel other animals’ kills. They can be found in every state of the United States, Alaska, and Canada.
References:
- Bald Eagle on National Geographic – http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/b/bald-eagle
- Bald eagle on Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_eagle
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