American Bald Eagle
The American bald eagle is a magnificent bird of prey and it is synonymous with and has become a national symbol of American strength and patriotism.
This remarkable eagle belongs to the Family: Accipitridae Genus: Haliaeet Species: H. leucocephalus
Were you aware there are 2 subspecies of bald eagle – the “Northern” bald eagle (H. leucocephalus alascanius) and the “Southern” bald eagle (H. leucocephalus leucocephalus). The northern bald eagle is found above 40 degrees north latitude. Because of their migratory habits the terms northern and southern are no longer used because they cross each other’s homerange whilst migrating thus causing much confusion as to which is which.
American Bald Eagle
The bald eagle never leaves America, but chooses to migrate within the Americas – replicating “patriotism.” That is why Americans have embraced the bald eagle as there national bird. This eagle loves to ascend and glide using thermals and updrafts to assist its flight patterns.
The bald eagle is a sea eagle and the species beginning with “leukos” refers to his “white” feathered head. The name “bald” eagle comes from the fact that at one time the word bald meant “white” and not hairless, as we today refer to as the meaning of going or being bald.
Bald eagles are diurnal predatory carnivores. They have an amazing sense of sight and can spot potential prey, like a rabbit from as much as a mile away. Bald eagles can also swim per se – using the power of it’s wings to propel themselves through water. Bearing in mind that bald eagles are primarily “fish” eaters, this skill would be needed. They also prey on small mammals,, other birds and snakes They are also scavengers picking at the dead remains of road-kill animals. The eagles that live in North America flourish because of the availability of salmon. Both dead and dying fish remain an integral food source for the bald eagles.
These birds are fully equipped not only with great eyesight, but they have very powerful legs and incredibly strong talons and as just as strong a beak to dissect their prey and remove feathers and fur which, if swallowed is regurgitated because they simply can’t digest the inedible parts which also includes bones.
The bald eagle is a very large bird with a wingspan of up to 88 ins. and a bodymass weighing up to 14lbs, and the females are larger than the males by 25%. Bald eagles can fly at speeds up to 100 mph solo, but if it has prey firmly entrenched within its talons - that slows them down to around 80 mph.
The preferred habitat of the bald eagle is old growth and mature stands of either very tall coniferous or hardwood trees for resting, roosting and nesting, and these trees have to be located near the coast, rivers, large lakes and any other large bodies of water that are abundant with fish. These eagles prefer a tree canopy of less than 60% maximum. Their nest is huge and is a crude constructure of sticks usually located in the sparsest foliage of tree and nests are usually highly visible.
The bald eagle was officially deemed an endangered species in 1967. In 1995 the eagle was listed as a “threatened” species. In 2007, the bald eagle was declared a “protected species.”
The bald eagle is very sensitive to human activity and it takes a wide berth around populated areas and only frequents areas where there are no humans.
The bald eagle is an awesome creature, to see up close and personal – an experience one would never forget.
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