Overview
The bald eagle is one of conservation's greatest success stories. Once on the brink of extinction in the contiguous United States due to DDT pesticide poisoning, habitat destruction, and hunting, this magnificent raptor has made a remarkable recovery. Removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007, bald eagle populations have quadrupled since 2009. As the national bird and symbol of the United States since 1782, the bald eagle represents not only American ideals of freedom and strength but also proof that dedicated conservation efforts can bring species back from the edge.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance
Adults display the iconic white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling and don't attain full adult plumage until age 4–5. Their bright yellow beak and feet are distinctive.
Size
Bald eagles are among the largest North American raptors, with a wingspan of 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m). Females are typically 25% larger than males, weighing 10–14 lb (4.5–6.3 kg) compared to males at 6–9 lb (2.7–4 kg).
Vision
Bald eagles have extraordinary eyesight — 4 to 5 times sharper than human vision. They can spot a fish from over a mile away and have a nearly 340-degree field of view.
Behavior & Ecology
Hunting
Bald eagles are opportunistic predators and scavengers. Fish make up about 60–90% of their diet, which they snatch from near the water's surface with powerful talons. They also eat birds, small mammals, and carrion.
Kleptoparasitism
Bald eagles often harass other birds of prey — especially ospreys — forcing them to drop their catches. Benjamin Franklin famously objected to the eagle as a national symbol partly because of this "thieving" behavior.
Nesting
Bald eagle nests (eyries) are the largest of any North American bird. Built in tall trees near water, they can reach 8 feet across and weigh over 2 tons. Pairs add to the same nest year after year.
Mating
Bald eagles mate for life and perform spectacular courtship displays, including "cartwheeling" — locking talons mid-air and tumbling toward the ground before separating. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Recovery Story
DDT Crisis
In the mid-20th century, the pesticide DDT accumulated in the food chain, causing eagle eggshells to become so thin they cracked during incubation. By 1963, only 417 nesting pairs remained in the lower 48 states.
Legal Protection
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940) and the Endangered Species Act (1973) provided critical legal protections. The banning of DDT in 1972 was the turning point for recovery.
Comeback
By 2007, populations had recovered enough to be delisted. A 2021 USFWS survey found over 71,400 nesting pairs and an estimated 316,700 individual bald eagles in the lower 48 states — a population increase of about 780% since 2009.
Ongoing Threats
Despite recovery, bald eagles still face dangers from lead poisoning (from ingesting lead ammunition in prey), vehicle and power line collisions, and habitat disturbance near nesting sites.
Cultural Significance
National Symbol
The bald eagle appears on the Great Seal of the United States, currency, and countless government and military emblems. It was chosen for its long life, great strength, and majestic appearance.
Indigenous Cultures
Bald eagles hold deep spiritual significance in many Native American traditions. Eagle feathers are sacred and used in ceremonies, and harming an eagle carries legal penalties under federal law.
