DESCRIPTION:

The majesty and strength represented by the bald eagle are world renowned. The eagle is referred to as 'bald' because of the white plumage on its head. Its yellow eyes and beak stand in contrast to its dark brown body. Eagles can reach flight speeds between 35 and 44 miles per hour.

SIZE:

One of the largest raptors, the bald eagle is 32 to 40 inches long with a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet. Males are smaller than females.

POPULATION:

80,000 to 110,000 eagles exist in the wild; 4,500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states.

LIFESPAN:

Over 30 years in the wild; longer in captivity.

RANGE:

Canada, Alaska and lower 48 states.

HABITAT:

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

FOOD:

Bald eagles eat fish, waterfowl, and small to medium mammals. They kill their prey with their talons (feet and claws) and use their beaks for tearing flesh.

BEHAVIOR:

Built in the limbs of tall trees, nests are used year after year with new additions of mosses and sticks. Nests can reach 5 feet across, 2 feet high and weigh 4,000 pounds.

OFFSPRING:

Bald Eagles often mate for life. Once paired, the female lays two eggs in the spring. After 35 days one or two chicks hatch. If two are hatched, usually only the chick that is more aggressive, and takes most of the food, survives. At 15 weeks of age, the young permanently leaves the nest.

HISTORY:

The bald eagle was officially adopted as the U.S. national emblem on June 20, 1782. The use of the pesticide DDT in this century poisoned eagles' foods and weakened eggshells, making them too thin to support the weight of brooding parents. A 1972 ban on DDT led to gradual improvements in population.

THREATS:

Habitat loss because of development in coastal areas, PCB poisoning, and shooting for feathers.

PROTECTION:

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

*Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with more than 144 member countries. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.