Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Description
The Bald eagle is a raptor, or a bird of prey. They have a yellow hooked beak, and their feet have four claws used to grab smaller birds, mammals or fish. The body is covered with brown plumage and the head and tail are white in adults. Males and females are the same colors, but females are larger that males. The Bald eagle is a federally protected species and illegal to possess with out a permit. If you find an injured Bald eagle, contact law enforcement or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The Bald eagle is the national bird of the U.S. and is also regarded as sacred by many of indigenous North American cultures.
Details
Known Problems | Mature Size |
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This species was nearly driven to extinction in the 1970s due to DDT pesticide accumulation in the food web, which caused their egg shells to be too fragile for the embryos to survive; While populations have improved, this species still faces threats from habitat loss | Up to 40 inches long, up to 14 pounds, and possibly a 7.5-foot wing span |