Bald Eagle Research Paper

Bald Eagles The Bald Eagle, also known as the “Haliaeetus leucocephalus” (Hamish 1990) is one of the most majestic and spectacular birds on the planet. With a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet and a height of 34-43 cm (Duquette at al.2011) it is one of the world’s largest birds. The Bald Eagle represents the country of The United States of America because it is one of the most beautiful and symbolic creatures on the planet, yet it was once almost completely extinct. The Bald Eagle is mostly found in coastal areas and gets its name because of its white head. Bald eagles have huge talons and curved peak. They also have excellent eye sight so that they can scope out their prey from a distance, scoop in, and grab them (Robert 1982). Since they are carnivores, their main source of food is fish such a salmon, but they also tend to prey on other animals such as mammals and other birds (Stalmaster 1987). Although, due to the Endangered Species Preservation Act, These bird’s flourish in the upper part of North America such as Alaska and Canada, they are still recognized as Threatened because of habitat loss and pollution by pesticides such as DDT. Nevertheless the species is making a
Biologists predict that up 500,000 bald eagles soared the skies of North America before colonization of the continent occurred. Due to human expansion, they have had to deal with habitat reduction and pollution. European settlement only made things harder for the Bald Eagle because they are limited in habitat due to their preference in living near coastal areas so they can feed on fish. In addition habitat reduction, logger’s duties of cutting trees down and demolition of forests in which the Eagles flourished made things even more difficult for the Bald Eagle, it is even said that people were paid to hunt Bald Eagles between 1917 and 1953 and pay by the government to do so (pbs.org