American Bald Eagle

Status: Endangered in all states but Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to downlist the eagle to threatened. Healthy populations in Alaska.

Description: One of the largest raptors. Immature bald eagle is totally brown. White plumage on the head and tail is complete when the bald eagle reaches five years. Body is brownish-black, with a yellow bill, eyes and feet. Flight speed ranges between 35 and 44 m.p.h..

Size: Length: 32-40 inches. Wingspan: 6-8 feet. Males are smaller than females.

Habitat: Seacoasts, forests, valleys, mountain regions, lakes and rivers.

Range: Alaska and lower 48 states. Nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Migrate between November and March south to areas with open water.

Food Source: Fish, waterfowl, small to medium mammals and carrion. Kill prey by grasping it in its talons (feet & claws). Use beaks for tearing flesh.

Reproduction: Male and female often mate for life. Male performs spectacular aerial courtship displays to attract female. Female lays two dull-white eggs in the spring and one or two chicks are hatched after 35 days. If two are hatched, usually only the chick that is more aggressive and takes most of the food survives. Often the other chick will die from starvation. At 11 weeks, the adult birds lure the fledglings to fly out of the nest by holding food in their beaks in a nearby tree. At 15 weeks of age, the young permanently leave the nest to find their own home range.

Nests: Nests are made out of branches or cornstalks near rivers and lakes. Built in the limbs of tall trees, the nest is used year after year with new additions of mosses and sticks. Sometimes birds switch between two nests every year. The nest can reach 5 feet across, 2 feet high and weigh 4,000 pounds. A record 9 foot high nest was found in Alaska.

Population: 2,600 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states; 30,000 individuals in Alaska.

Longevity: 30+ years in the wild; longer in captivity.

History: Officially adopted as the U.S. national emblem on June 20, 1782. Use of DDT pesticide in this century poisoned eagles' food source and weakened eggshells, making them too thin to support weight of brooding parents. 1972 ban on DDT and conservation methods has lead to gradual improvements in population.

Habitat loss because of development in coastal areas, PCB poisoning, logging of old nesting trees, loss of cottonwood groves along steam beds in the West, and shooting for feathers.

Survival Threats: DDT ban, public education, captive breeding and reintroduction, habitat conservation.

Legal Protection: CITES, Appendix I American Eagle Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act Endangered Species Act