Critters of North Idaho: Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is by far the most recognizable bird in our country. These majestic creatures are often seen soaring 10,000 feet in the air. They serve their ecosystem as apex predators. It is little wonder that these denizens of the sky serve as our nation’s symbol. But beyond this bird’s national symbolism, what makes the bald eagle unique among the bird world? Let’s learn more about our feathered critter friend a little better, shall we?
One of the things that makes bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) so impressive is their wingspread. Though only weighing between 8 and 9 pounds (less than half the size of their largest cousin, the Steller’s sea eagle) they rely on their incredible 6-foot wingspans to carry them aloft, often for several hours at a time.
Despite their name, they aren’t actually bald. The word “bald” used to mean “white” in Old English, and so this was a reference to its white head and tail. The yellow beak and feet of this creature add a dash of color to its brown and white palette of feathers covering the rest of its body.
The bald eagle belongs to a particular group of eagles called sea eagles. Despite this, bald eagles don’t only live along the coast. They can be found throughout the forests and mountains of North America, from Alaska to Mexico, and California to Maine. They especially like to live alongside lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of water where their favorite food is plentiful: fish!
Using their sharp eyesight, they can spot fish under the water’s surface from hundreds of feet up. Then when the time is right, they swoop in for the catch, snatching up the slippery fish in their sharp talons! Though fish make up most of this bird’s diet, they also feed on other birds, smaller mammals, and carrion. One dirty secret you may not know about bald eagles is that they are kleptoparasites. This means they regularly steal the hard-earned food of other predators!
On a lighter note, bald eagles have another claim to fame: they mate for life. When it is time for them to find a partner, usually about the age of 5, many eagles will travel to the place of their birth. Once a pair of eagles find each other fancy, their pre-mating display is quite unique among the animal kingdom. After climbing skyward together, the birds lock talons and drop. They spiral downward, free-falling until they release their grip just before hitting the ground. Talk about commitment!
Within a few months of the eggs being due, a mated pair of bald eagles will construct a nest made of sticks. The nest has to be very sturdy, as the birds intend to use it year-after-year if they can. The nests these birds build aren’t the cute, little robin nests you might find on a tree trunk — the biggest bald eagle nest ever recorded was 9 ½ feet wide, about 20 feet deep, and weighed two tons! Built in Florida, this nest was used for 30 years until it eventually fell out of its tree.
Bald eagles usually produce between one and three eggs per season. Covered in brown, fuzzy down feathers, hatchlings don’t look very much like their parents. Most notably, they lack the white head feathers their species is known for. This causes some people to confuse them with their cousins, the golden eagles. Bald eagles become ‘bald’ around the age of 5, when they begin to show interest in finding a mate.
It’s hard to believe that, no more than half a century ago, we nearly lost our national bird to extinction. In the early to mid-20th century, bald eagle populations were devastated by the use of an insecticide called DDT, which made many birds unable to lay healthy eggs. With eagle researchers becoming concerned, the government banned the use of DDT and put these birds on the endangered species list to ensure they did not slip away into extinction. Thankfully, close monitoring of bald eagle populations has seen their numbers soar in recent years. As of June 28, 2007, they are no longer considered an endangered species.
Apex predator, committed, strong, majestic, and yes, sometimes kleptoparasitic, the bald eagle is a reminder that we do not have to let our diverse array of species disappear from the planet. By working together, we can follow our example with bald eagles and ensure that earth’s other amazing wildlife is preserved for future generations.
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