Bald Eagle
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{{Taxobox
| name = Bald Eagle
| status = LC
| status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=[[BirdLife International]]|year=2004|id=49336|title=Haliaeetus leucocephalus|downloaded=2007-11-11 }}</ref>
| status_system = iucn3.1
| image = Haliaeetus leucocephalus-tree-USFWS.jpg
| image_width = 275px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Falconiformes]]
| familia = [[Accipitridae]]
| genus = ''[[Sea eagle (bird)|Haliaeetus]]''
| species = '''''H. leucocephalus'''''
| binomial = ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766)
| subdivision_ranks = [[Subspecies]]
| subdivision =
* ''H. l. leucocephalus'' {{Taxobox_authority | author = (Linnaeus | date = 1766)}}<br/><small>Southern Bald Eagle</small>
* ''H. l. washingtoniensis'' {{Taxobox_authority | author = ([[John James Audubon|Audubon]] | date = 1827)}}<br/><small>Northern Bald Eagle</small>
| synonyms =
''Falco leucocephalus'' {{Taxobox_authority | author = Linnaeus | date = 1766}}<br/>
| range_map = Distribution H. leucocephalus.png
| range_map_width = 275px
| range_map_caption = Bald Eagle range
<div style="padding-left:100px; text-align:left;">
{{legend|#b13f31|border=1px solid #978e73|Resident, breeding}}
{{legend|#ce6256|border=1px solid #978e73|Summer visitor, breeding}}
{{legend|#e58e7b|border=1px solid #978e73|Winter visitor}}
{{legend|#f2c1ad|border=1px solid #978e73|On migration only}}
<small>Star: accidental records</small></div>
}}
The '''Bald Eagle''' (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a [[bird of prey]] found in [[North America]] that is most recognizable as the [[List of national birds|national bird]] and [[national symbol|symbol]] of the [[United States|United States of America]]. This [[Sea eagle (bird)|sea eagle]] has two known sub-species and forms a [[species pair]] with the [[White-tailed Eagle]]. Its range includes most of [[Canada]] and [[Alaska]], all of the [[contiguous United States]] and northern [[Mexico]]. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.
The Bald [[Eagle]] is a large bird, with a body length of 71–96 centimeters (28–38 in), a wingspan of 168–244 centimeters (66–88 in), and a mass of 3–6.3 kilograms (6.6–14 lb); females are about 25 percent larger than males.<ref name=hbw>del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J., eds. (1994). ''[[Handbook of the Birds of the World]]'' Vol. 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona ISBN 84-87334-15-6.</ref> The adult Bald Eagle has a brown body with a white head and tail, and bright yellow [[iris (anatomy)|irises]], taloned feet, and a hooked [[beak]]; juveniles are completely brown except for the yellow feet. Males and females are identical in [[plumage]] coloration. Its diet consists mainly of [[fish]], but it is an opportunistic feeder. It hunts fish by swooping down and snatching the fish out of the water with its talons. It is sexually mature at four years or five years of age. In the wild, Bald Eagles can live up to thirty years, and often survive longer in captivity.<ref name=sop>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsc-eoc.org/regional/oneaglefacts.html|title=Bald Eagle Fact Sheet|publisher=Southern Ontario Bald Eagle Monitoring Project|accessdate= 2008-06-30}}</ref> The Bald Eagle builds the largest [[bird nest|nest]] of any North American bird, up to 4 meters (13 ft) deep, 2.5 meters (8 ft) wide, and one [[tonne]] (1.1 [[short ton|ton]]s) in weight.<ref name=hbw/>
The species was on the brink of [[extirpation]] in the continental United States (while flourishing in much of [[Alaska]] and Canada) late in the 20th century, but now has a stable population and has been officially removed from the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. federal government's]] list of [[endangered species]]. The Bald Eagle was officially reclassified from "Endangered" to "[[Threatened species|Threatened]]" on [[July 12]], [[1995]] by the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]]. On [[July 6]], [[1999]], a proposal was initiated "To Remove the Bald Eagle in the [[Continental United States|Lower 48]] States From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife." It was delisted on [[June 28]], [[2007]].
==Description==
The [[plumage]] of an adult Bald Eagle is evenly brown with a white head and tail. The tail is moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped. Males and females are identical in plumage coloration, however females display [[sexual dimorphism|reverse sexual dimorphism]] and are 25 percent larger than males.<ref name=hbw/> The beak, feet, and [[iris (anatomy)|irises]] are bright yellow. The legs are unfeathered, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons. The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it is held immobile by the front toes.<ref name="ADW">{{cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Haliaeetus_leucocephalus.html|title=Bald Eagle ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''|publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Geology|author=Harris|accessdate= 2007-06-21}}</ref> The [[beak]] is large and hooked, with a yellow [[cere]].<ref name="Cornell"/>
The plumage of the immature is brown, speckled with white until the fifth (rarely fourth, very rarely third) year, when it reaches sexual maturity.<ref name=hbw/><ref name="ADW"/> Immature Bald Eagles are distinguishable from the [[Golden Eagle]] in that the former has a more protruding head with a larger bill, straighter edged wings which are held flat (not slightly raised) and with a stiffer wing beat, and feathers which do not completely cover the legs.<ref name="sibley">[[David Allen Sibley|Sibley, D.]] (2000). ''[[The Sibley Guide to Birds]]''. [[National Audubon Society]] ISBN 0-679-45122-6</ref> Also, the immature Bald Eagle has more light feathers in the upper arm area, especially around the very top of the arm.[[Image:Juvenile Bald Eagle Sand.jpg|left|thumb|Juvenile, on sand.]]
Body length ranges from 71 to 96 cm (28–38 in). Adult females have a wingspan of up to 2.44 m (88 in), while adult males may be as small as 1.68 m (66 in).<ref name=hbw/> Adult females weigh approximately 5.8 kg (12.8 lb), males weigh 4.1 kg (9 lb).<ref>{{cite book | last =Bird | first =D.M. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =The Bird Almanac: A Guide to Essential Facts and Figures of the World's Birds | publisher =Firefly Books | date =2004 | location =Ontario | pages = | url = | isbn =1552979259 }}</ref> The size of the bird varies by location; the smallest specimens are those from [[Florida]], where an adult male may barely exceed 2.3 kg (5 lb) and a wingspan of 1.8 m (6 ft). The largest are Alaskan birds, where large females may exceed 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) and have a wingspan of over 2.4 m (8 ft).<ref name="Cornell"> {{cite web|url=http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle_dtl.html|title=Bald Eagle, ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''|publisher=Cornell Lab of Ornithology|accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref>
The average lifespan of Bald Eagles in the wild is around 20 years, with the oldest living to be about 30. In captivity, they often live somewhat longer. In one instance, a captive individual in New York lived for nearly 50 years. As with size, the average lifespan of an eagle population appears to be influenced by its location.<ref name=sop/>
==Taxonomy==
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus-ad-flight-USFWS.jpg|thumb|left|Subspecies ''H. l. washingtoniensis'' in flight, Alaska]]
This [[sea eagle (bird)|sea eagle]] gets both its common and scientific names from the distinctive appearance of the adult's head. ''Bald'' in the [[English language|English]] name is derived from the word ''[[piebald]]'', and refers to the white head and tail feathers and their contrast with the darker body. The scientific name is derived from ''Haliaeetus'', [[New Latin]] for "sea eagle" (from the [[Ancient Greek]] ''haliaetos''), and ''leucocephalus'', Latinized Ancient Greek for "white head," from λευκος ''leukos'' ("white") and κεφαλη ''kephale'' ("head").<ref name="Georgia"> {{cite web|url=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Whats_in_a_name/default.cfm?id=19|author=Joshua Dietz|title=What's in a Name|publisher=Smithsonian National Zoological Park|accessmonthday=[[August 19]]|accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="Liddell 1980">{{cite book | author = [[Henry George Liddell|Liddell, Henry George]] and [[Robert Scott (philologist)|Robert Scott]] | year = 1980 | title = [[A Greek-English Lexicon]] (Abridged Edition) | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | location = United Kingdom | isbn = 0-19-910207-4}}</ref>
The Bald Eagle was one of the many species originally described by [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] in his 18th century work ''[[Systema Naturae]]'', under the name ''Falco leucocephalus''.<ref>{{la icon}} {{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=Carolus | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio duodecima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). | date=1766| pages= |}}</ref>
There are two recognized [[subspecies]] of Bald Eagle:<ref name=hbw/><ref name="ITIS"> {{cite web|url=http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=175420|title=''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''|publisher=Integrated Taxonomic Information System|accessdate=2007-06-21|language=English}}</ref>
*'''''H. l. leucocephalus''''' (Linnaeus, 1766) is the nominate subspecies. It is separated from ''H. l. alascanus'' at approximately [[latitude]] 38° N, or roughly the latitude of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]].<ref name="Pacific"/> It is found in the southern United States and [[Baja California]].<ref name="ESRP"/>
*'''''H. l. washingtoniensis''''' (Audubon, 1827), synonym ''H. l. alascanus'' Townsend, 1897, the northern subspecies, is larger than southern nominate ''leucocephalus''. It is found in the northern United States, Canada and Alaska.<ref name=hbw/><ref name="ESRP">{{cite web | author= Brown, N. L. | title =Bald Eagle ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'' | publisher Endangered Species Recovery Program | url =http://esrpweb.csustan.edu/speciesprofiles/profile.php?sp=hale | accessdate =2007-08-20}}</ref> This subspecies reaches further south than latitude 38° N on the [[East Coast of the United States|Atlantic Coast]], where they occur in the [[Cape Hatteras]] area.<ref name="Pacific">{{cite web | title =Bald Eagle ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'' | publisher =The Pacific Wildlife Foundation | url =http://www.pwlf.org/baldeagle.htm | accessdate =2007-06-27 }}</ref>
The Bald Eagle forms a [[species pair]] with the [[Eurasia]]n [[White-tailed Eagle]]. This species pair consists of a white-headed and a tan-headed species of roughly equal size; the White-tailed Eagle also has overall somewhat paler brown body plumage. The pair diverged from other Sea Eagles at the beginning of the Early [[Miocene]] (c. 10 [[Ma (unit)|Ma BP]]) at the latest, but possibly as early as the Early/Middle [[Oligocene]], 28 Ma BP, if the most ancient fossil record is correctly assigned to this [[genus]].<ref>{{cite journal | last =Wink | first =M | coauthors =Heidrich, P. & Fentzloff, C | title =A mtDNA phylogeny of sea eagles (genus ''Haliaeetus'') based on nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome ''b'' gene | journal =Biochemical Systematics and Ecology | volume =24 | issue = | pages =783–791 | date =1996 | url =http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1996/20_1996.pdf PDF fulltext | doi =10.1016/S0305-1978(96)00049-X | id = | accessdate = | doi_brokendate =2008-06-24 }}</ref> The two species probably diverged in the North [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], as the White-tailed Eagle spread westwards into Eurasia and the Bald Eagle spread eastwards into North America.<ref name="Habitat"> {{cite web|url=http://www.bald-eagles.info/habitat.php|title=Bald Eagle Habitat|publisher=Bald-Eagles.info|accessdate=2007-06-21|language=English}}</ref>
==Habitat and range==
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus-juv-USFWS.jpg|thumb|Immature (second or third year) in Alaska]]
The Bald Eagle prefers habitats near seacoasts, rivers, large lakes, and other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish. Studies have shown a preference for bodies of water with a circumference greater than 11 km (7 miles), and lakes with an area greater than
10 km² (3.8 square miles) are optimal for breeding bald eagles.<ref name="Gov"> {{cite web|url=
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/animals/bird/hale/all.html|title=WILDLIFE SPECIES: ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''|publisher=USDA Forest Service|accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref>
The Bald Eagle requires old-growth and mature stands of [[pinophyta|coniferous]] or [[hardwood]] trees for perching, roosting, and nesting. Selected trees must have good visibility, an open structure, and proximity to prey, but the height or species of tree is not as important as an abundance of comparatively large trees surrounding the body of water. Forests used for nesting should have a canopy cover of less than 60 percent, and as low as 20 percent, and be in close proximity to water.<ref name="Gov"/>
The Bald Eagle is extremely sensitive to human activity, and occurs most commonly in areas free of human disturbance. It chooses sites more than 1.2 km (0.75 miles) from low-density human disturbance and more than 1.8 km (1.2 miles) from medium- to high-density human disturbance.<ref name="Gov"/>
The Bald Eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most of [[Canada]], all of the [[continental United States]], and northern [[Mexico]]. It is the only Sea Eagle native to only North America. The bird itself is able to live in most of North America's varied habitats from the [[bayou]]s of [[Louisiana]] to the [[Sonoran Desert]] and the eastern deciduous forests of [[Quebec]] and [[New England]]. Northern birds are [[bird migration|migratory]], while southern birds are resident, often remaining on their breeding territory all year. The Bald Eagle previously bred throughout much of its range but at its lowest population was largely restricted to [[Alaska]], the [[Aleutian Islands]], northern and eastern Canada, and [[Florida]].<ref name ="Bull87">{{cite book |author= Bull J, Farrand, J Jr |title=Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds:Eastern Region |year=1987 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |pages = 468-9|location=New York |isbn=0-394-41405-5}}</ref>
[[Image:Bald Eagle and salmon.jpg|Juvenile with salmon in Alaska|thumb|left]]
It has occurred as a [[vagrancy (biology)|vagrant]] twice in [[Ireland]]; a juvenile was shot illegally in [[Fermanagh]] on [[January 11]], [[1973]] (misidentified at first as a White-tailed Eagle), and an exhausted juvenile was captured in [[County Kerry|Kerry]] on [[November 15]], [[1987]].<ref name="BOU"> {{cite web|url=http://www.bou.org.uk/recrep25.html|author=[[British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee]]|title=25th Report (October 1998)|publisher=British Ornithologists Union |accessdate=2007-08-19}}</ref>
Bald Eagles will also congregate in certain locations in winter. From November until February, one to two thousand birds winter in [[Squamish, British Columbia]], about halfway between [[Vancouver]] and [[Whistler, British Columbia|Whistler]]. The birds primarily gather along the [[Squamish River|Squamish]] and [[Cheakamus River|Cheakamus]] Rivers, attracted by the [[salmon]] spawning in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle1.html|author=Hope Rutledge|title=Where to View Bald Eagles|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref>
==Behavior==
The Bald Eagle is a powerful flier, and soars on [[Thermal|thermal convection currents]]. It reaches speeds of 56–70 km/h (35–44 miles per hour) when gliding and flapping, and about 48 km/h (30 miles per hour) while carrying fish.<ref name="Terres"/> It is partially migratory, depending on location. If its territory has access to open water, it remains there year-round, but if the body of water freezes during the winter, making it impossible to obtain food, it migrates to the south or to the coast. The Bald Eagle selects migration routes which take advantage of [[thermal]]s, [[updraft]]s, and food resources. During migration, it may ascend in a thermal and then glide down, or may take ascend in updrafts created by the wind against a cliff or other terrain. Migration generally takes place during the daytime, when thermals are produced by the sun.<ref name= "ADW"/>
Bald Eagles normally squeak and have a shrill cry, punctuated by grunts. They do not make the scream that is found in films; this is usually the call of a [[Red-tailed Hawk]], dubbed into films for dramatic effect.
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus-whale-USFWS.jpg|left|thumb|Eating whale carrion]]
===Diet===
The Bald Eagle's diet is opportunistic and varied, but most feed mainly on [[fish]]. In the [[Pacific Northwest]], spawning [[trout]] and [[salmon]] provide most of the Bald Eagles' diet.<ref name="Alaska">{{cite web | last =Daum | first = David W. | title = Bald Eagle | publisher =Alaska Department of Fish & Game | date = | url =http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/bird/eagles.php | accessdate = 2007-08-15 }}</ref> Locally, eagles may rely largely on [[carrion]], especially in winter, and they will scavenge carcasses up to the size of [[whale]]s, though it seems that carcasses of [[ungulate]]s and large [[fish]] are preferred. They also may sometimes feed on subsistence scavenged or stolen from campsites and picnics, as well as garbage dumps. [[Mammal]]ian prey includes [[rabbit]]s, [[hare]]s, [[raccoon]]s, [[muskrat]]s, [[beaver]]s, [[sea otter]]s, and [[deer]] [[fawn]]s. Preferred avian prey includes [[grebe]]s, [[alcid]]s, [[duck]]s, [[gull]]s, [[coot]]s, [[egret]]s and [[geese]]. Most live prey are quite a bit smaller than the eagle, but predatory attacks on large birds such as the [[Great Blue Heron]] and even [[swan]]s have been recorded. [[Reptile]]s, [[amphibian]]s and [[crustacean]]s (especially [[crab]]s) are preyed on when available.
[[Image:Bald eagle fish.jpg|thumb|right|With a freshly caught fish]]
To hunt fish, easily their most important live prey, the eagle swoops down over the water and snatches the fish out of the water with its [[talons]]. They eat by holding the fish in one claw and tearing the flesh with the other. Eagles have structures on their toes called spiricules that allow them to grasp fish. [[Osprey]] also have this adaptation.<ref name="Terres">{{cite book| last =Terres| first =J. K.| authorlink =John Kenneth Terres| title =The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds| publisher =Knopf| date =1980| location =New York, NY| pages = 644-646| doi =| id =ISBN 0394466519 }}</ref> Bald Eagles have powerful talons.
Sometimes, if the fish is too heavy to lift, the eagle will be dragged into the water. It may swim to safety, but some eagles drown or succumb to [[hypothermia]]. When competing for food, eagles will usually dominate other fish-eaters and scavengers, aggressively displacing [[mammal]]s such as [[coyote]]s and [[fox]]es, and birds such as [[corvid]]s, [[gull]]s, [[vulture]]s and other [[Bird of prey|raptor]]s. Bald Eagles may be displaced by or themselves displace [[Golden Eagle]]s, with neither species known to be dominant. Occasionally, Bald Eagles will steal fish away from smaller raptors, such as [[Osprey]]s, a practice known as [[kleptoparasitism]].<ref>{{cite journal | last =Jorde | first =D.G. | authorlink = | coauthors =Lingle, G | title =Kleptoparasitism by Bald Eagles wintering in South-Central Nebraska. | journal =Journal of Field Ornithology | volume =59 | issue =2 | pages =183–188 | date =1998 | url =http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/JFO/v059n02/p0183-p0188.pdf | doi = | id = | accessdate =2007-08-21 }}</ref>
===Reproduction===
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus1.jpg|thumb|right|Two chicks (eaglets)]]
[[Image:Bald eagle nesting.JPG|thumb|right|A nest]]
Bald Eagles are sexually mature at four or five years of age. When they are old enough to breed, they often return to the area where they were born. It is thought that Bald Eagles mate for life. However, if one member of a pair dies or disappears, the other will choose a new mate. A pair which has repeatedly failed in breeding attempts may split and look for new mates.<ref name="Hinterland">{{cite web | title = Bald Eagle | author =R.F. Stocek | publisher =Canadian Wildlife Service | url =http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=27 | accessdate = 2007-08-19 }}</ref> Bald Eagle courtship involves elaborate calls and flight displays. The flight includes swoops, chases, and cartwheels, in which they fly high, lock talons, and free fall, separating just before hitting the ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12202-32581--,00.html|publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources|title=Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref>
The nest is the largest of any bird in North America; it is used repeatedly over many years and with new material added each year may eventually be as large as 4 meters (13 ft) deep, 2.5 meters (8 ft) across and weigh one [[tonne]] (1.1 [[Short ton|tons]]);<ref name=hbw/> one nest in Florida was found to be 6.1 meters deep (20 ft), 2.9 meters (9.5 ft) across, and to weigh 2.722 tonnes (3 [[Short ton|ton]]s).<ref>Erickson, L. (2007). ''Bald Eagle Journey North'' [http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/eagle/NestAbout1.html About Bald Eagle Nests]</ref> The nest is built out of branches, usually in large trees near water. When breeding where there are no trees, the Bald Eagle will nest on the ground. Eagles produce between one and three eggs per year, but it is rare for all three chicks to successfully fly. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs. The other parent will hunt for food or look for nesting material. The eggs average about 7.3 centimeters (2.9 in) long and have a breadth of 5.5 centimeters (2.2 in).<ref name="Terres">{{cite book | last =Terres | first =John K. | authorlink =John Kenneth Terres | title =The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds | publisher =Knopf | date =1980 | location =New York, NY | pages =477 | doi = | id =ISBN 0394466519 }}</ref>
[[Image:Fledging Bald Eagle.jpg|right|thumb|Newly Fledged Juvenile]]The incubation period averages at about 35 days and the parents will brood their offspring until they are about four weeks of age. The fledging stage can occur at any time from 70 to 92 days, the wide variation dictated by the effects of sex and hatching order on growth and development. Egg and nestling predation may be committed by [[Black-billed Magpie]]s, [[gull]]s, [[raven]]s and [[crow]]s, [[American Black Bear|black bear]]s and [[raccoon]]s. With no known predators themselves, adults will fiercely defend their offspring from these species.
==Relationship with humans==
===Population decline and recovery===
Once a common sight in much of the continent, the Bald Eagle was severely affected in the mid-20th century by a variety of factors, among them thinning of egg shells, attributed to the use of the pesticide [[DDT]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Leslie |title=Birds of Prey: Their biology and ecology |pages=226|year=1976 |publisher=Hamlyn |location= |isbn=0-600-31306-9}}</ref> Bald Eagles, like many birds of prey, were especially affected by DDT due to [[biomagnification]]. DDT itself was not lethal to the adult bird, but it interfered with the bird's [[calcium]] metabolism, making the bird either sterile or unable to lay healthy eggs. Female eagles laid eggs that were too brittle to withstand the weight of a brooding adult, making it nearly impossible to produce young.<ref name ="Bull87"/> It's estimated that in the early 1700s, the bald eagle population was 300,000–500,000,<ref>{{cite web | title=Bald Eagle Facts and Information | publisher = [[American eagle foundation]] | url=http://www.eagles.org/moreabout.html | accessdate=2008-01-03}}</ref> but by the 1950s there were only 412 nesting pairs in the 48 [[Contiguous United States|contiguous states]] of the US.
Other factors in Bald Eagle population reductions were a widespread loss of suitable habitat, and illegal shooting, which was described as "the leading cause of direct mortality in both adult and immature bald eagles," according to a 1978 report in the Endangered Species Technical Bulletin. In 1984, the [[National Wildlife Federation]] listed hunting, power line electrocution, and collisions in flight as the leading causes of eagle deaths. Bald Eagle populations have also been negatively affected by oil, lead, and mercury pollution, and by human and predator intrusion.<ref>{{cite news | last =Milloy | first =Steven | title =Bald Eagle | publisher =Fox News | date = [[2006-07-06]] | url =http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202447,00.html | accessdate = 2008-01-03 }}</ref>
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus 38319.JPG|right|thumb|First-year]]
The species was first protected in the U.S. and Canada by the [[Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918|1918 Migratory Bird Treaty]], later extended to all of North America. The 1940 Bald Eagle Protection Act in the U.S., which protected the Bald Eagle and the [[Golden Eagle]], prohibited commercial trapping and killing of the birds. The Bald Eagle was declared an endangered species in the U.S. in 1967, and amendments to the 1940 act between 1962 and 1972 further restricted commercial uses and increased penalties for violators. Also in 1972, DDT was banned in the United States.<ref>{{cite news | last =EPA press release | title = DDT Ban Takes Effect | publisher =United States Environmental Protection Agency | date = [[1972-12-31]] | url =http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/ddt/01.htm | accessdate = 2007-08-22 }}</ref> DDT was completely banned in Canada in 1989, though its use had been highly restricted since the late 1970s.<ref>{{cite news | last =Barrera, Jorge | title = Agent Orange has left deadly legacy Fight continues to ban pesticides and herbicides across Canada | date = [[2005-07-04]] | url =http://www.nben.ca/environews/media/mediaarchives/05/july/legacy.htm | accessdate = 2007-08-22 }}</ref>
With regulations in place and DDT banned, the eagle population rebounded. The Bald Eagle can be found in growing concentrations throughout the United States and Canada, particularly near large bodies of water. In the early 1980s, the estimated total population was 100,000 birds, with 110,000–115,000 by 1992;<ref name=hbw/> the [[U.S. state]] with the largest resident population is [[Alaska]], with about 40,000–50,000 birds, with the next highest population being the [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian province]] of [[British Columbia]] with 20,000–30,000 birds in 1992.<ref name=hbw/>
It was officially removed from the U.S. federal government's list of endangered species on [[July 12]], [[1995]] by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, when it was reclassified from "Endangered" to "Threatened." On [[July 6]], [[1999]], a proposal was initiated "To Remove the Bald Eagle in the Lower 48 States From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife." It was delisted on [[June 28]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web | title =Bald Eagle Soars Off Endangered Species List | publisher =U.S. Department of the Interior | date =[[2007-06-28]] | url =http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/070628.html| accessdate =2007-08-27}}</ref> It has also been assigned a risk level of [[Least Concern]] category on the [[IUCN Red List]].<ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=[[BirdLife International]]|year=2004|id=49336|title=Haliaeetus leucocephalus|downloaded=2008-01-03 }}</ref>
===In captivity===
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus 003.jpg|right|thumb|Wearing [[jesses (falconry)|jesses]] for [[falconry]]]]
[[Image:Bald Eagle at The National Zoo.jpg|thumb|At The US National Zoo.]]
Permits are required to keep Bald Eagles in captivity in the United States. Permits are primarily issued to public educational institutions, and the eagles which they show are permanently injured individuals which cannot be released to the wild. The facilities where eagles are kept must be equipped with adequate caging and facilities, as well as workers experienced in the handling and care of eagles. Bald Eagles cannot legally be kept for falconry in the United States. As a rule, the Bald Eagle is a poor choice for public shows, being timid, prone to becoming highly stressed, and unpredictable in nature. Native American Tribes can obtain a "Native American Religious Use" permit to keep non-releasable eagles as well. They use their naturally molted feathers for religious and cultural ceremonies. The Bald Eagle can be long-lived in captivity if well cared for, but does not breed well even under the best conditions.<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Maestrelli
| first =John R.
| coauthors =Stanley N. Wiemeyer
| title =Breeding Bald Eagles in Captivity
| journal =The Wilson Bulletin
| volume =87
| issue =I
| pages =
| date =March 1975
| url =http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:XHsa26srbBgJ:elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v087n01/p0045-p0053.pdf+bald+eagle+%2B+breeding+in+captivity&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-
| accessdate =2007-08-19
| doi =10.1016/S0305-1978(96)00049-X
| doi_brokendate =2008-06-24 }}</ref> In Canada, a license is required to keep Bald Eagles for [[falconry]].<ref>{{cite journal
| title =Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997
| publisher=Ministry of Attorney General
| url =http://www.search.e-laws.gov.on.ca/en/isysquery/6bd9748c-33cb-4a82-aebc-5076e860bd48/1/frame/?search=browseStatutes&context=
| accessdate =2007-08-24
| doi =10.1016/S0305-1978(96)00049-X
| doi_brokendate =2008-06-24 }}</ref>
===National bird of the United States===
The Bald Eagle is the [[List of national birds|national bird]] of the United States of America. It is one of the country's most recognizable symbols, and appears on most of its official seals, including the [[Seal of the President of the United States]].
The [[Continental Congress]] adopted the current design for the [[Great Seal of the United States]] including a Bald Eagle grasping thirteen [[arrow]]s and a thirteen-leaf [[olive branch]] with its talons on [[June 20]], [[1782]].<ref name="seal">{{cite web |url=http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=5|title=Original Design of the Great Seal of the United States (1782)|accessdate= 2007-08-19 |publisher= National Archives}}</ref>
[[Image:Seal Of The President Of The Unites States Of America.svg|thumb|right|Seal of the President of the United States]]
After the end of the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], [[Benjamin Franklin]] wrote a famous letter from [[Paris]] in 1784, to his daughter, criticizing the choice and suggesting the [[Wild Turkey]] as a better representative of American qualities. He described the Bald Eagle as "a Bird of bad moral character," who, "too lazy to fish for himself" survived by robbing the [[Osprey]]. He called the Bald Eagle "a rank Coward" easily driven from a perch by the much smaller [[kingbird]]. In the letter, Franklin wrote the Turkey is, "a much more respectable Bird," which he described as "a little vain & silly [but] a Bird of Courage."<ref name="seal"/>
The Bald Eagle remained the emblem of the United States. It can be found on both national seals and on the back of several coins (including the [[Quarter (U.S. coin)|quarter]] dollar coin until 1999), with its head oriented towards the olive branch. Between 1916 and 1945, the [[Presidential Flag]] showed an eagle facing to its left (the viewer's right), which gave rise to the [[urban legend]] that the seal is changed to have the eagle face towards the olive branch in peace, and towards the arrows in wartime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snopes.com/history/american/turnhead.htm |title=A Turn of the Head|accessdate=2007-08-19|author= Mikkelson, Barbara & Mikkelson, David P |publisher=snopes.com }}</ref>
===Role in Native American culture===
[[Image:Haliaeetus leucocephalus2.jpg|thumb|Adult landing on nest]]
The Bald Eagle is a sacred bird in some North American cultures, and its feathers, like those of the [[Golden Eagle]], are central to many religious and [[Native American mythology|spiritual]] customs among [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]]. Eagles are considered spiritual messengers between gods and humans by some cultures.<ref name="Pequot"> {{cite web|url=http://www.pequotmuseum.org/Home/CrossPaths/CrossPathsSpring2003/TheSacredMessengers.htm|author=Julie Collier|title=The Sacred Messengers|publisher=Mashantucket Pequot Museum|accessdate=2007-05-20}}</ref> Many [[pow wow]] dancers use the eagle claw as part of their regalia as well. Eagle feathers are often used in traditional ceremonies, particularly in the construction of regalia worn and as a part of fans, bustles and head dresses. The [[Lakota people|Lakota]], for instance, give an eagle feather as a symbol of honor to person who achieves a task. In modern times, it may be given on an event such as a graduation from college.<ref name="Melmer">{{cite news
| last =Melmer
| first =David
| title =Bald eagles may come off threatened list
| publisher =Indian Country Today
| date =[[2007-06-11]]
| url =http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415182
| accessdate = 2007-08-23 }}</ref> The [[Pawnee]] considered eagles as symbols of fertility because their nests are built high off the ground and because they fiercely protect their young. The [[Kwakwaka'wakw]] scattered eagle down to welcome important guests.<ref>{{cite news
| last =Brown, Steven C.; Averill, Lloyd J.
| title =Sun Dogs and Eagle Down
| publisher =University of Washington Press
| url =http://www.washington.edu/uwpress/search/books/BROSUN.html
| accessdate = 2007-08-23 }}</ref>
During the [[Sun Dance]], which is practiced by many [[Plains Indian]] tribes, the eagle is represented in several ways. The eagle nest is represented by the fork of the lodge where the dance is held. A whistle made from the wing bone of an eagle is used during the course of the dance. Also during the dance, a [[medicine man]] may direct his fan, which is made of eagle feathers, to people who seek to be healed. The medicine man touches the fan to the center pole and then to the patient, in order to transmit power from the pole to the patient. The fan is then held up toward the sky, so that the eagle may carry the prayers for the sick to the Creator.<ref>{{cite news
| last =Lawrence, Elizabeth Atwood
| title =The Symbolic Role of Animals in the Plains Indian Sun Dance
| publisher =University of Washington Press
| url =http://www.psyeta.org/sa/sa1.1/lawrence.html
| accessdate = 2007-08-23 }}</ref>
Current [[eagle feather law]] stipulates that only individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain Bald or Golden Eagle feathers for religious or spiritual use. The constitutionality of these laws has been questioned by Native American groups on the basis that it violates the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] by affecting ability to practice their religion freely.<ref>{{cite journal
| last =DeMeo
| first =Antonia M.
| title =Access to Eagles and Eagle Parts: Environmental Protection v. Native American Free Exercise of Religion
| journal =Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly
| volume =22
| issue =3
| pages =771–813
| date =1995
| url =http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ar22hstclq771.htm
| doi =
| id =
| accessdate = 2007-08-22 }}</ref>
Additionally, only members of federally recognized tribes are legally allowed to possess eagle feathers, preventing non-federally recognized tribe members from practicing religion freely. The laws have also been criticized on grounds of racial preferences and infringements on [[tribal sovereignty]].<ref>{{cite news
| last =Boradiansky
| first =Tina S.
| title =Conflicting Values: The Religious Killing of Federally Protected Wildlife
| publisher =University of New Mexico School of Law
| date =1990
| url =http://www.animallaw.info/articles/arus30nrj709.htm
| accessdate = 2007-08-23 }}</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of national birds]]
==References==<!-- Condor18:38 already rare in San Mateo Co, CA, in early 20th century. RevBrasZool23:807 data about a worm parasite. -->
{{reflist|2}}
[http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/bald-eagle.html National Geographic:Bald Eagle]
==Further reading==
===Identification===
* [[Grant, Peter J.]] (1988) The Co. Kerry Bald Eagle ''[[Twitching (magazine)|Twitching]]'' 1(12): 379-80 - describes plumage differences between Bald Eagle and White-tailed Eagle in juvenile plumage
==External links==
{{commons|Haliaeetus leucocephalus}}
{{Wikispecies|Haliaeetus leucocephalus|Bald Eagle}}
*[http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/facts/bald_eagle_712.html Bald Eagle Facts and Photos - NatureMapping Program]
*[http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/ National Eagle Center]
*[http://www.eraptors.org/index.html Cascades Raptor Center].
*[http://www.baldeagleinfo.com American Bald Eagle Information]
*[http://pages.cthome.net/rwinkler/eagle.htm The Fall and Rise of the Bald Eagle]
===Video links===
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCqY4Vf7xAU Fledging Season 2007: Various Wild Bald Eagle Nests]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYEjsbBuYCs Wild Bald Eagle Eats Live Crab: Close Up]
*[http://media1.vcoe.org/eaglecam1 Live video of a Bald Eagle nest on Santa Cruz Island.]
*[http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=608 Video of Bald Eagles on the Internet Bird Collection]
*[http://www.flickr.com/groups/birdguide/pool/tags/Haliaeetus%20leucocephalus Photo Field Guide on Flickr]
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[[Category:Eagles]]
[[Category:Haliaeetus]]
[[Category:National symbols of the United States]]
[[Category:Birds of Canada]]
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[[Category:Birds of Belize]]
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[[Category:Birds of Saint Pierre and Miquelon]]
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