The American bald eagle was officially elected as a national symbol in 1872 when the United States Constitution was ratified. It was officially nominated as such until 1788. There was a heated debate, led by the great statesman Benjamin Franklin, this bird became the national bird. Mr. Franklin wanted the turkey to be thought better symbolizes the ideals of clean, honest and simplest of the American people. Your bet is lost, however, in 1789, when George Washington became the first U.S. president, and the bald eagle was officially adopted as the "first bird".

The American bald eagle is the only eagle native to North America and is only in its home continent can be found. Alaska, the 49th state admitted to the Union, is home to about 35,000 of the total population of 70,000. British Columbia has about 20,000, and the rest mainly inhabit the Pacific coast, with some scattered in the rest of the United States. Heavier population is in the Pacific Northwest, due in part to the large number of salmon found there. Eagles rely heavily on fish as a major part of their diets. They feed on small animals such as mice, rabbits, muskrats, ducks, snakes and they will resort to eating carrion (dead animals), if necessary. However, it is preferred that their food source is of a fresh and are partial to fish.

While bald eagles are able to carry their food in flight, which in reality can only lift about half their body weight. Although you can dive, fish in the water and swim to shore with them, have also been known to drown if the fish is too big and not let go.

The body length for both men and women, ranging between 29 and 42 inches (73.66 to 106.68 centimeters). The male is usually between 7 and 9 pounds (.497 to .639 of stone) and has a wingspan that can exceed 6 feet (1.83 meters). The female is larger and can weigh up to 14 pounds (0.99 stone). She may have a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.44 meters).

In level flight, the bald eagle has been recorded at speeds of up to 44 mph (70.1 kph). It can dive (and has been recorded) at speeds of 75 to 100 mph (120.68 to 160.39 kph). The eagle is capable of riding the thermal air currents above 10000 feet (3048 meters) and can stay aloft for hours doing this, at a time.

This species of bird companions for life, and only seek a new partner if their "spouse" dies. They build a "nest (nest also spelled)" in which incubate their eggs and raise their young until they leave the nest at 12 weeks. An eagle's nest or the nest can be built in the tops of giant trees (often poplars) or on a ledge of a mountain. The eagles usually add to their nests until they reach 10 feet (2.54 meters) in diameter. The nests are lined with soft materials such as leaves, feathers and moss to provide an adequate area for the incubation of eggs after the female lays them.

The eggs are usually laid in late April, following a "courtship dance" fascinating in early April, which made the eagles in the air. They dive and climb, and we hope to be attacking (lock claws or nails with) each other during the flight sequence.

After the eggs are laid, the male and female take turns hunting, egg incubation (34-35 days to hatch, usually late May or early June), monitoring the nest, and brooding / feeding of chicks until they are old enough to fly and leave the nest. This occurs when the eaglets are about 12 weeks old. They develop special flight feathers, which make them look larger than their parents, who serve as additional balance (sort of training wheels, like a bicycle), while they learn to fly.

The young are light gray when born, and turn dark brown before leaving the nest. Young adults have brown feathers and white spotted under their wings until they reach 5 years of age. At 5 years, the feathers of the head and tail white. The mature bird is not really bald. "Calvo", in turn, means "white". Thus the name "bald eagle". Between the fourth and fifth, the beak and eyes have the characteristic yellow color. For a mature bald eagle up close is amazing. To see one in flight is an experience they will remember for a lifetime.

Preservation efforts

Despite the "National Symbols Act" and "Bald and Gold Eagle Preservation Act," which were adopted in 1940, the bald eagle population declined rapidly, as farmers killed for fear of damage they could do for their livestock. Hunters and poachers kill them for trophies and for profit, and many were killed accidentally. This seriously alarmed conservationists. Therefore, the American bald eagle was officially declared an "Endangered Species" in 1947, under a law that preceded the "Law of Endangered Species" in 1973. Until 1995, were listed as endangered in 43 of the 48 contiguous United States. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington state listed as "threatened." In 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) updated threat status in the other 43 states.

In February 2006 it was announced that the USFWS has issued guidelines on how species should be protected by landowners and others, once the bird is no longer listed as an endangered species. These guidelines include proposed laws that prohibit disturbing the breeding birds, shelter, or feeding practices or disturb in any manner that could cause injury, death or nest abandonment. If these proposals are solidified and approved, could lead to the removal of the bald eagle from "threatened" list.