The Story of the Bald Eagle

Forwarded by M.C!
The Story of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

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Classical Head Shot of the The Bald Eagle - The Symbol of the United States of America


The bald eagles are only found on the North American continent, where they can live be over 35 years old (50 in captivity). However, they need rests periods where they can regenerate their talons and beak so that they catch more prey.
Note: The presentation works less well if you fret about accuracy of some of the claims for talon, wing and beak re-growth.

Eagle Displaying Wings

After a period of rest, the eagle has grown a new sharp beak and razor sharp talons.

Eagle Hunting on Therma


As you watch the presentation, think of periods in your life where you have 'regenerated', or 'reinvented
Interesting F\acts about the Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is not bald, so much as 'piebald'. Its body is black while the head and tail are white, a classic piebald combination. Indeed in its Latin name Haliaeetus leucocephalus, leuco means white, while cephalus means head. The piebald effect is noticeable because the eaglet chicks have the same coloured feathers all over their bodies. But when they reach about 3 years old they start developing the different coloured body compared with the head, this piebald process completes when they are about 6 years old.

Eagles build their nests in the most inaccessible places. While they have no natural enemies, bald eagles have learned to avoid sites where their eggs could be stolen. One surprise is that the eggs are so small, given that the nests are so big. An even greater shock is that the parents are loving, protective and attentive when the chicks are small. But once the parents sense they are old enough to fend for themselves, they literally throw the fledgling of the nest; at which point the young bird either flies or dies. 99.9% fly - interesting technique.
Seafaring legend has is that no ship with an eagle on board can ever be sunk. Perhaps this is way Americans have adopted the bird as their national emblem. An interesting point that the above PowerPoint presentation makes is that there comes a time when the adult eagles have to regenerate their talons and beaks, else they will starve to death.

Field Biology has helped to establish that while the Bald Eagle does eat fish, it does not consume sufficient quantities to be a threat to fisherman. Up until the early 1950s Alaska placed a bounty on Bald Eagles, this short sighted strategy was responsible for killing at least 100,000 Bald Eagles. Perhaps an even bigger threat was the insecticide DDT, banning this and similar pesticides saved birds at the top of the food train from extinction.

The last 40 years have been good for the Bald Eagle. Back in 1967 it was one of the first North American birds to be put on the 'Endangered Species' list. Its classification has been relaxed to threatened, and to its present status of protected.

The term 'Eagle eyed' is well deserved as they do have exceptional ability to focus on prey from great heights. What would seem like a blur or a spec to us, would be a tasty fish to a Bald Eagle.