American Bald Eagle

American Bald Eagle is native to the United States and Canada. These birds can also be found in northern Mexico. Their largest population groups are found in Alaska. They bear a strong symbolic meaning to the US, as a Bald Eagle is depicted on the Seal of the President of the United States. The bird was accepted as the national symbol in 1782.

These birds possess a very honorable and majestic look, and this might have enchanted the Congressmen to such an extent, that they choose the bird to symbolize the greatness of the nation. American Bald Eagle is naturally proud, and takes up residence high above the ground in order to overlook the surroundings, so that nothing is left outside of the bird’s scope. These birds have a phenomenal vision and enviable hunting aptitude. They have several adaptations that help them through the hardships of life in the wild, such as sharp talons that enable them to firmly grab fish and a curved beak, a deadly weapon, leaving no chance for potential prey to get away. These majestic avian predators feed on fish, rabbits, hares, otters, coons, turtles, snakes, ducks, swans, etc.

The American Bald Eagle is one of America’s largest birds. Adult species have a wingspan of about 7 feet or more. Mature eagles have a brown plumage. The Bald Eagle is named so because of his white head. Bald Eagles are not actually bald, and the term “bald” is a derivation from obsolete English, which stood for “white”. It should be noted that only mature Eagles have white heads and white patches on the tail and wings. Eaglets are totally brown, and it is not before they turn 4-5 years old that they take on the universal color pattern. There is no significant difference in color between sexes, but females are about 25% larger than males (reverse dimorphism). Wild American Bald Eagles live 40 years, while captive species may live up to 60 years.

Males and females form lifelong bonds, and they use the same nest for many years, sometimes for the entire life. They start mating in spring, so eaglets appear by the time it gets relatively warm. Males are as active in weaning the young as females. Females are more active in building nests than males. Clutches usually contain 1-3 eggs, and hatchlings appear after 35 days of gestation period. Eaglets grow pretty fast, and they start leaving the nest at 12 weeks of age. American Bald Eagles reach sexual maturity by 4 to 5 years old.