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| − | {{Taxobox
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| − | | color = pink
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| − | | name = Bald Eagle
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| − | | status = LC
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| − | | image = Haliaeetus leucocephalus.jpg
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| − | | regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| − | | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| − | | classis = [[Bird|Aves]]
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| − | | ordo = [[Falconiformes]]
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| − | | familia = [[Accipitridae]]
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| − | | genus = ''[[Sea eagle (bird)|Haliaeetus]]''
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| − | | species = '''''H. leucocephalus'''''
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| − | | binomial = ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''
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| − | | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766)
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| − | }}
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| − | The '''Bald Eagle''' (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''), also known as the '''American Eagle''', is a [[bird of prey]] found in [[North America]], most recognizable as the [[national bird]] of the [[United States]].
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| − | The species was on the brink of [[extinction]] in the USA late in the 20th century, but now has a stable population and is in the process of being removed from the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. federal government]]'s list of [[endangered species]].
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| − | This [[eagle]] gets both its common and scientific names from the distinctive appearance of the adult's head. ''Bald'' in the [[English language|English]] name refers to the white head feathers, and the scientific name is derived from ''Haliaeetus'', the [[New Latin]] for "sea eagle," (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''haliaetos'') and ''leucocephalus'', the Greek for "white head," from ''leukos'' ("white") and ''kephale'' ("head").
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| − | ==Range, habitat, and restoration==
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| − | The Bald Eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most of [[Canada]], all of the continental United States, and northern [[Mexico]]. The bird itself is able to live in most of North America's varied habitats from the [[bayou]]s of [[Louisiana]] to the [[Sonoran Desert|Sonoran desert]] and the eastern deciduous forests of [[Quebec]] and [[New England]]. It can be a [[bird migration|migratory]] bird but it also is not unheard of for a nesting pair to overwinter in its breeding area.
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| − | Once a common sight in much of the continent, the Bald Eagle was severely affected by the use of the pesticide [[DDT]] in the mid-twentieth century. While the pesticide itself was not lethal to the bird, it made an eagle either sterile or unable to lay healthy eggs: the eagle would ingest the chemical through its food and then lay eggs that were too brittle to withstand the weight of a brooding adult. By the 1960's there were fewer than 500 nesting pairs in the 48 [[Contiguous United States|contiguous states]] of the USA. Currently it is still slowly but steadily recovering its numbers; it can be found in growing concentrations throughout the United States and [[Canada]], particularly near large [[body of water|bodies of water]]. The [[U.S. state]] with the largest resident population is [[Alaska]]; out of the estimated 100,000 Bald Eagles on [[Earth]], half live there.
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| − | Bald Eagles are protected by two federal laws in the [[United States]]: the Bald Eagle Protection Act (1940), which protects Bald and [[Golden Eagle]]s, and the [[Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918|Migratory Bird Treaty Act]] (1918).
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| − | Permits are required to keep this species. As a rule, the Bald Eagle is a poor choice for public shows, being timid, prone to becoming highly stressed, and unpredictable in nature.
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| − | This species has occurred as a [[Vagrancy (biology)|vagrant]] once in [[Ireland]]. The exhausted specimen was discovered by a [[national park]]s worker in a northern [[heath]]. Presumably, a storm blew it out to sea, and the bird struggled across the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
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| − | The only Bald Eagle to be hatched outside North America was born on [[May 3]] [[2006]] in a zoo in the German city of [[Magdeburg]].
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| − | ==Description==
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| − | [[Image:bald.eagle.longshot.arp.500pix.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Adult at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, North Devon, England]]
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| − | An immature Bald Eagle has speckled brown [[plumage]], the distinctive white head and body developing 2–3 years later, before sexual maturity. This species is distinguishable from the [[Golden Eagle]] in that the latter has feathers which extend down the legs.
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| − | The Bald Eagle's maximum life span is approximately 50 years. Adult females have a wingspan of approximately 2.1 meters (7 feet); adult males have a wingspan of 2 meters (6 feet, 6 inches). Adult females weigh approximately 5.8 kg (12.8 lb), males weigh 4.1 kg (9 lb).
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| − | ==Behavior==
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| − | Bald Eagles are powerful fliers, and also soar on thermal convection currents. They are long-lived, with reports of birds in captivity living to be 60 years old. The male might eat an eaglet if the mother is not around.
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| − | Bald Eagles normally squeak and have a shrill cry, punctuated by grunts. They do not make the "eagle scream" as often shown on television. What many recognize as the call of this species is actually the call of a [[Red-tailed hawk]] dubbed into the film.
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| − | ==Reproduction==
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| − | [[Image:Eagles in nest-by NASA.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A nest with two adults]]
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| − | Bald Eagles build huge nests out of branches, usually in large trees. After a few years, the nest may weigh more then 450 kg. When breeding where there are no trees, the Bald Eagle will nest on the ground.
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| − | Eagles that are old enough to breed often return to the area where they were born. An adult looking for a nesting site is likely to select a spot that contains other breeding Bald Eagles.
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| − | Bald Eagles are sexually mature at 4 or 5 years old. Eagles produce between one and three eggs per year, but it is rare for all three chicks to successfully fly. Both the male and female take turns sitting on the eggs. The other parent will hunt for food or look for nest material.
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| − | ==Diet==
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| − | The Bald Eagle's diet is varied, including [[carrion]], [[fish]], smaller [[bird]]s, [[rodent]]s, and sometimes food scavenged or stolen from campsites and picnics.
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| − | To hunt fish, the eagle swoops down over the water and snatches the fish out of the water with its [[talons]]. They eat by holding the fish in one claw and tearing the flesh with the other. Eagles have structures on their toes called [[spiricules]] that allow them to grasp fish. [[Osprey]] also have this adaptation.
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| − | Sometimes, if the fish is too heavy to lift, the eagle will be dragged into the water. It may swim to safety, but some eagles drown or succumb to [[hypothermia]].
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| − | ==National bird of the U.S.==
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| − | The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the [[United States]] of America. It is probably one of the country's most recognizable symbols, and appears on most of its official seals, including the [[Seal of the President of the United States]].
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| − | Its national significance dates back to [[June 20]], [[1782]], when the [[Continental Congress]] officially adopted the current design for the [[Great Seal of the United States]] including a Bald Eagle grasping arrows and an olive branch with its [[talons]]. Some states had earlier adopted the bird as a symbol; for example [[New York State]] did so in 1778.
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| − | In 1784, after the end of the [[Revolutionary War]], [[Benjamin Franklin]] wrote a famous letter to his daughter from [[Paris]] criticizing the choice and suggesting the [[Wild Turkey]] as an alternative:
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| − | :''For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
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| − | :''With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country . . .
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| − | :''I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.''
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| − | Despite Franklin's objections, the Bald Eagle remained the emblem of the United States. It can be found on both national seals and on the back of several coins (including the [[Quarter (U.S. coin)|quarter]] dollar coin until 1999), with its head oriented towards the olive branch.
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| − | == Bald Eagles as religious objects ==
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| − | The Bald Eagle is a sacred bird in some North American cultures and its feathers, like those of the [[Golden Eagle]], are central to many [[religious]] and [[spiritual]] customs amongst [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]]. Some Native Americans revere eagles as sacred religious objects, including the feathers and other parts and are often compared to the [[Bible]] and [[crucifix]] (See References).
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| − | Eagle feathers are often used in traditional ceremonies and are used to honor noteworthy achievements and qualities such as exceptional leadership and bravery.
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| − | Despite modern and historic Native American practices of giving eagle feathers to non-Native Americans and Native American members of other tribes who have been deemed worthy, current [[eagle feather law]] stipulates that only individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled in a federally-recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain Bald or Golden Eagle feathers for [[religious]] or [[spiritual]] use.
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * Associated Press, ''Native American gets OK to use eagle feathers in religious practices'' (2002)[http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=16684]
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| − | * Associated Press, ''Residents fight to use eagle feathers'' (2004) [http://www.wwrn.org/article.php?idd=4949&sec=73&cont=6]
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| − | * Boradiansky, Tina S. ''Conflicting Values: The Religious Killing of Federally Protected Wildlife'' (1990)[http://www.animallaw.info/articles/arus30nrj709.htm]
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| − | * DeMeo, Antonia M. ''Access to Eagles and Eagle Parts: Environmental Protection v. Native American Free Exercise of Religion'' (1995)[http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ar22hstclq771.htm]
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| − | * {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49336|title=Haliaeetus leucocephalus|downloaded=09 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
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| − | * Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries PART 22—EAGLE PERMITS
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | {{commons|Haliaeetus leucocephalus}}
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| − | *[http://images.fws.gov/default.cfm?fuseaction=records.display&CFID=2060719&CFTOKEN=64720564&id=5C7D1A7F%2DF41E%2D4C0A%2D87A4F0A6E628BD0E 11.9" x 8" 1.24 MB Bald Eagle JPEG] provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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| − | *[http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/turkey.html Ben Franklin - the Eagle and the Turkey]
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| − | *[http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/baldeagle/nationalbird.cfm?photo=1 Eagle vs. Turkey]
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| − | *[http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/default.asp Live web cam of a Bald Eagle nest in British Columbia]
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| − | *[http://www.nu.com/eagles/default.asp Live web cam of a Bald Eagle nest in Massachusetts]
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| − | *[http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/ Bald Eagle Information]
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| − | [[Category:Eagles]]
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| − | [[Category:Avifauna of Washington]]
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| − | [[Category:Avifauna of Alaska]]
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| − | [[Category:Avifauna of Georgia (U.S. state)]]
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| − | [[be:Белагаловы арол]]
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| − | [[cs:Orel bělohlavý]]
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| − | [[da:Hvidhovedet havørn]]
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| − | [[de:Weißkopfseeadler]]
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| − | [[es:Pigargo cabeciblanco]]
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| − | [[eo:Blankkapa maraglo]]
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| − | [[fr:Pygargue à tête blanche]]
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| − | [[it:Haliaeetus leucocephalus]]
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| − | [[he:עיטם לבן ראש]]
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| − | [[nl:Amerikaanse zeearend]]
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| − | [[ja:ハクトウワシ]]
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| − | [[pl:Bielik amerykański]]
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| − | [[pt:Águia de cabeça branca]]
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| − | [[sk:Orliak bielohlavý]]
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| − | [[fi:Valkopäämerikotka]]
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| − | [[sv:Vithövdad havsörn]]
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| − | [[ta:வெண்தலைக் கழுகு]]
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