Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The Bald Eagle has been the national symbol of the United States
since 1782. It is a member of the Hawk family, but most closely
related to the Sea Eagle. Bald Eagles live primarily in coastal
regions or near lakes and rivers. They can be found as far north as
Alaska and as far south as Florida. During migration, northern eagles
tend to travel south, while southern eagles travel north. Even though
the Bald Eagle is characterized by the white feathers on its head,
these do not appear until they are about four or five years old.
Despite the bird's stunning appearance, the Bald Eagle is relatively
clumsy compared to other eagles. They will usually feed on dead or
injured fish, or fish that are in shallow water, before exerting the
effort to catch fish that are alive and well. Bald Eagles have also
been known to harass other birds that have caught live fish rather
than hunt for food themselves.
Bald Eagles
were put on the Endangered Species List in 1967, but were upgraded to
Threatened in 1995!
EcoTarium is home to two Bald Eagles. The male was found in 1978 in the Great Lakes area with a wing injury and arrived here in 1983. The female was found in 1998 in Maine with a broken wing and arrived here a few months later. Both birds are flightless and non-releasable. Our Eagles are fed mice or rats and fish, usually butterfish or mackerel. We moved the eagles into a new habitat together in June 1999. This habitat is specially designed to be safe for these eagles, who do not fly.
Written by Naturalist Dan Hyzak