Picking the Bald Eagle as our Bird Of The Week was pretty easy.  It had to come out near the top of the list for all kinds of reasons.  Personally, it was really the bird that got me going again with photography after a long time away.  Even without a camera they are fun to watch as they fish, or chase one another around, usually trying to steal a fish after a successful catch.  We’re lucky around these parts to have them winter here in great numbers.

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the national bird and symbol of the United States, is a powerful and majestic bird of prey known for its striking appearance and significant cultural importance. Here are some interesting facts about Bald Eagles:

1. Symbol of the United States: The Bald Eagle was chosen as the emblem of the United States in 1782 due to its long life, great strength, and majestic looks, symbolizing the freedom and strength of the nation.

2. Not Actually Bald: The name “Bald Eagle” might suggest baldness, but it actually comes from an old English word, “balde,” meaning white. This refers to the contrast between their white head and tail feathers and their dark brown body and wings.

3. Impressive Wingspan: Bald Eagles have an impressive wingspan ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet (1.8 to 2.3 meters), making them one of the largest birds of prey in North America.

4. Powerful Vision: Their eyesight is incredibly sharp, allowing them to spot prey from several miles away. An eagle’s vision is estimated to be 4 to 8 times stronger than that of the average human.

5. Diet and Hunting: Primarily fish eaters, Bald Eagles are known for their skillful hunting technique. They can dive at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour to snatch fish out of the water with their sharp talons. They also eat birds, small mammals, and carrion.

6. Nest Size: Bald Eagles build some of the largest nests of any bird species. Their nests, called aeries, are made of sticks and can be up to 10 feet wide and weigh over 1,000 pounds.

7. Longevity: In the wild, Bald Eagles can live up to 20-30 years, but the oldest recorded eagle in captivity lived to be nearly 50 years old.

8. Recovery from Endangerment: By the late 20th century, Bald Eagles were on the brink of extinction in the continental United States due to habitat destruction, illegal shooting, and the contamination of its food supply caused by the pesticide DDT. Protections under the Endangered Species Act and the banning of DDT led to a remarkable recovery, and the Bald Eagle was removed from the list of endangered and threatened species in 2007.

9. Unique Behavior: Bald Eagles are known for a dramatic courtship display where a pair will lock talons in mid-air and spin down towards the earth, breaking apart at the last moment. This behavior, called the “cartwheel display,” is part of their complex mating rituals.

10. Territorial and Monogamous: They are highly territorial birds, especially during the breeding season. Bald Eagles are also generally monogamous, meaning they will stay with the same mate for several years or potentially for life. If one member of the pair dies, however, the survivor will find a new mate.

11. Cultural Significance: Beyond being a national symbol for the United States, Bald Eagles hold a sacred place in the culture and religion of many Native American tribes, symbolizing honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power, and freedom.

The Bald Eagle’s story is one of conservation success, showing the impact of protective measures and pollution control on preserving our natural heritage and wildlife.  

Want to read a great book on the history of the Bald Eagle in the United States?  Check out The Bald Eagle – The Improbable Journey Of America’s Bird by Jack E. Davis.