Did you know that the bald eagle has symbolized America, as well as being its national bird, since 1782? They had never seen a bald eagle in Europe because the American bald Eagle is unique to North America. Because the bald eagle is found only in North America, the European settlers had never seen one. The bald eagle has the scientific name Haliaetus leucocephalus, meaning \'sea eagle with a white head\' in Latin and Greek, and the birds are still known as sea eagles.

The bald eagle is the only \'sea eagle\' that is a native of North America. The bald eagle has a striking appearance, with its dark brown feathers set off by the stark white feathers of its tail and head. Many items, such as U.S. coins, flags, seals, and even buildings, have used the bald eagle\'s image as a symbol of the nation.

These birds of prey are raptors, along with owls, hawks, vultures, and falcons. The bald eagle lives on a diet of live prey, such as waterfowl and fish, as well as rodents, snakes, rabbits, and birds, but they will eat carrion when there is no live prey to be eaten. Few animals dare stand in the way of the bald eagle, who can reach an adult size of 16 pounds, with wingspans of 7.5 feet and lengths of 32 inches. The largest eagles live in Alaska, and the smaller eagles can be found in Florida. Even small bald eagles intimidate the other animals in the region, and they scatter whenever the mighty bird begins to land.

Bald eagles require a very large hunting ground, an area of 2 to 15 square miles per hunting pair. Bald eagle pairs live in a shared nest, keeping it closely guarded from harm. Bald eagles have been observed in some instances, such as along the Indian River lagoon in Central Florida, chasing down Ospreys with fresh catches. The eagle will then get to eat the Osprey\'s catch, as the Osprey drops its squirming prey to escape the eagle.

These powerful birds of prey retain a strong instinct toward family loyalty. Though most birds are not known for their monogamy, these birds mate for life. Most birds live only a few years, but the bald eagle in the wild can live to be as old as 25. From Northern Mexico, all over the continental United States, and up into Alaska and Canada, the bald eagle resides in much of the continent.

Though leaving the place they were hatched and flying long distances in search of ideal cool summer weather, the bald eagle usually returns to the area when it comes time to mate. When spring arrives, bald eagles of breeding age can lay between one and three eggs, which hatch in around 35 days. It takes about three months for the babies to start flying, and after the fourth month, they fly away from the nest to strike out for themselves. The dangers of hunger, disease, harsh weather, and toxic chemicals can all make life hard for baby eagles, but almost 70% manage to adapt and survive for at least a year.

Did you know the government passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act to save the species in 1940? When this law passed, it became illegal to bother or disturb the birds. It also became illegal to take the birds, their nests, or their eggs for any purpose, such as selling, trading, owning, or exporting them. Taking an eagle included shooting at the birds, wounding them, trapping, capturing, disturbing them, or killing them in any manner.

Toxic chemicals in the environment, including DDT and commercial and residential pesticides, led to a mass die-off of the bald eagle. Reintroduction programs, some federally funded and some private, as well as new laws have given the bald eagle a chance to return in numbers. In those days, many people thought it might be too late to save the bald eagle as in neared extinction.

For species with small populations, and those with very few animals left, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed the legal classifications of endangered or threatened. Bald eagles stayed on most states\' endangered species lists until the 1990s, when the species began to dramatically increase in numbers.

The bald eagle was reclassified by Congress as threatened on August 11, 1995, after its numbers grew from 500 pairs in 1963 to 5,000 pairs in 1994. As the number of bald eagles increase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to remove the bird from the endangered species list altogether.

The mighty bald eagle makes a wonderful bird watching experience. The soaring eagle\'s flight appears to be in slow motion. It begins with the powerful bird\'s long and deliberate strides. The prize remains in its sight as it keeps steady on its path. The skies of North America are increasingly filled with the majestic bald eagle. Make the time to see these wonderful animals for yourself.

OodlesOnBaldEagles.com reveals interesting facts about our national bird in addition to offering bald eagle clocks and other eagle products such as the Eagle Flying Vase/candlelamp.