Bald Eagle
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Bald Eagles are commonly seen and heard at camp in the trees and soaring over the waterfront. When you hear a Bald Eagle call (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/sounds#) it might not sound as you expect because many movies actually use a Red-Tail Hawk call instead of on of a Bald Eagle.
Juvenile Bald Eagle Photo: allaboutbirds.org
Bald Eagles are not actually bald. They get their name from the white feathers on their head making them look “bald” in contrast to their brown body feathers. A juvenile Bald Eagle lacks the characteristic white head. Instead they have a mixture of brown and white feathers all over their body. They will get their white head feather at around five years old. At this time, they will also find a mate that they will most likely stick with for the rest of their lives. They may live to be about 28 year old in the wild.
Bald Eagles are predatory birds. They live near bodies of water and primarily dine on fish. They are not picky however and will eat reptiles, amphibians, other birds, and small mammals. They also often scavenge left over meals from other animals and will even steal another animal’s food. Their long talons, strong grip, 7 foot wingspan, and sharp beak help them be a successful aerial hunter.
Though Bald Eagles are a common sight in Washington today, that hasn’t always been the case. They have a great conservation success story. In 1782 they were designated the national symbol of the United States. At this time there was estimated to be over 25,000 individuals in the area that is today’s continental United States. In 1963, there were less than 1,000 birds left , labeling them and endangered species. Their population declined due to many human caused threats including: illegal hunting, lead poisoning (ingested lead bullets through prey), habitat destruction, and pesticides (also ingested through prey). Pesticides can have many affects on animals. One famous one called DDT caused eggs that birds (not just Bald Eagles) to become weaker. This prevented many Bald Eagles and other birds from successfully having babies to continue the population. Since the banning of DDT in 1972, conservation efforts have been successful in increasing the Bald Eagle population. Though Bald Eagles still face human caused threats today, they are no longer endangered and there are over 10,000 individuals in North America.
This success story shows us that we can make a difference in protecting wildlife. Policy changes, protection/conservation efforts, and care for any animal can help keep them extant (meaning “in existence,” the opposite of extinct). What species conservation success story will you be a part of?
