Where does the bald eagle live and how is it protected in the US?

The American eagle, also known as the bald eagle because of its white head and tail and the rest of its brown plumage, rose to the top this Wednesday when it was declared national bird of the United States although it was already recognized as emblematic for 240 years.

This bird of prey, considered solitary, prefers to live like any living being near its favorite food sources, which in its case are found in lakes and rivers, but in the absence of fish or any rodent, other smaller birds and even pets can provide. part of their diet, its scientific name is haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Unlike other species in the wild, males are 25% smaller than females, although they are identical in plumage and colors. They live from southern Canada and throughout the United States, from coast to coast, and northern Mexico.

Since when was its protection legislated?

Thanks to Migratory Bird Treaty Approved in 1918, the bald eagle obtained official protection in the US and Canada, then Mexico joined.

In 1940, the United States expanded its protection to include the golden eagle and prohibited the hunting and killing of these birds, even though it was declared endangered in 1967, which led to the Congress to expand restrictions in 1972, with amendments to the existing law and imposing greater fines and penalties for wrongs against the bird.

How tall is it and how high does it fly?

It is said that the eagle flies high and has a privileged view to see at great distances, in fact they can fly at more than 3,000 meters above sea level, making it the largest bird in North America. According to the National Wildlife Federation, it can measure between 80 centimeters and about one meter, apart from the extension of the wings.

Depending on the location in the United States, they vary in size, the Florida bald eagles are smaller than those that inhabit the mountains of the north of the country and Alaska, with a difference of up to one meter in the spread of the wings, the weight ranges between 2.3 kilos and up to 7 kilos, depending on its origin.

Where does it live?

Bald eagles adapt to different natural environments, they live in large nature reserves and mountainous areas, but they are also – on rare occasions – seen near large cities throughout the US, Canada and the border with Mexico.

The National Wildlife Federation has recorded populations in places as diverse as the swamps in Mississippi, the Rocky Mountains in the west, the Sonoran Desert in the south, and the Appalachian Mountains in the northeast. They are considered migratory birds, but in some northern regions they remain during the winter.

How do they reproduce and how long do they live?

This bird builds large nests in pairs in the crowns of trees that can measure up to 3 meters in diameter and weigh hundreds of pounds due to the load of small logs, straw and other padding to lay eggs and raise its chicks.

Bald eagles only have one pair to reproduce, they lay two or three eggs at the end of winter or early spring, they hatch them for about 35 days and for about 12 weeks the parents provide food for their young until they leave the nest.

For the first five years, the chicks fly alone until they find a partner to reproduce. The life expectancy is between 20 and 30 years in the wild.

Are there sanctuaries for their protection?

The American Eagle Foundation who for decades has worked on conservation programs for the national bird, assures that “sanctuaries” and assisted programs to preserve this species are at the same time the best way to educate the population about bald eagles and other species.

With high-definition video cameras installed in nests, offers to the public a way to know in real time the life of eagles and their offspring without altering their natural cycle, although under human assistance.

To date, it has six sanctuaries throughout the United States, where in a hybrid way between the wild and human-assisted world, eagles procreate their chicks, while they are observed by the public with solar-powered cameras and high-tech transmission systems.

“The educational benefit of wildlife cameras is unprecedented and allows viewers around the world a ‘bird’s eye view’ into the lives of bald eagles and other birds of prey,” the foundation maintains.

However, both this organization and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS ) have guidelines prohibiting interference with technology in bald eagle nests and habitat in the wild.

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