Alaska Bald Eagle

Alaska Bald Eagles, as well as those found north of the 40 degree parallel, are a little larger than those inhabiting southern regions. Southern and Northern Bald Eagles are viewed as separate subspecies, each having its own scientific name (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus and Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascnus correspondingly).

Northern Bald Eagles (let’s term them Alaska Bald Eagles) do visit southern states sometimes, mostly during winter, as the freezing of rivers and lakes forces them to look for regions where water stays unfrozen year round. This is because fish is the basic part of their ratio. However, their diet is not limited to fish, and they may pick on small and medium-sized mammals – rabbits and hares, reptiles, small birds and waterfowl. On rare occasions, they feed on fallen animals.

Today, American Bald Eagles seem to have come through the ordeals of the 20th century, as there were times when they were tottering on the brink of extinction. The Bald eagle was declared endangered in 1967, when there were less than 500 pairs left in the wild. In the early 1970s, both U.S. and Canadian governments imposed ban on the use of DDT, a highly toxic pesticide that had seriously undermined the bird’s genetics. These steps contributed to a considerable growth of Bald Eagle population, so the species was removed from the endangered list and accepted as threatened in 1995. In 2007, when the number of pairs amounted to 10,000, the Bald Eagle was delisted from Threatened status. During hard times, Alaska Bald Eagles enjoyed a good opportunity for survival, because there they could find remote areas where man was reluctant to adventure for a long time.

According to the color of the plumage, there is no difference between Alaska Bald Eagles and those found in Texas, Baja California and north Mexico. There is no color differentiation between sexes either. However, Bald Eagles show so called reverse sexual dimorphism, i. e. females are about 30% larger than males. Mature Bald Eagles have white heads, wing tips and tails, as well as yellow beaks and eyes. Young Eagles are totally brown, including beak and tail. They take on their adult color by 4-5 years of age.

Bald Eagles are monogamous, and pairs rarely part. If one of the two dies, the other one usually finds a new companion. Both parents are responsible for the comfort of the young. Females do more job in building nests. Eagle nests are very large, sometimes reaching 13 ft in height and 8 ft in diameter. Usually, Bald Eagles build nests in old and tall trees or on rock outcroppings. An Alaska Bald Eagle still enjoys a wonderful opportunity, as the habitat provides ample conditions for nesting and hunting.