|
|
2008-06-19  JOHNS CREEK HERALD | The Bald Eagle: Monarch of the American Sky
|
| | by CHARLIE KELLY |
|  |
June 25, 2008
www.northfulton.com
JOHNS CREEK - The year was 1782. It was only six years after the signing of the Declaration Of Independence when our nation adopted the American bald eagle as our national bird. This magnificent avian was chosen to symbolize the American characteristics of freedom, power and majesty. The passage of time verifies the accuracy of that choice.
The bald eagle is featured on the great seal of the United States. In the right talons, the eagle holds an olive branch which is usually depicted with thirteen leaves. In the left talons, the eagle clutches thirteen arrows. The olive branch symbolizes our national preference for peace. Thirteen arrows attest to our nations willingness to defend our democratic form of government. Both the thirteen leaves on the olive branch and the thirteen arrows in the claw of the eagle are representative of the thirteen original colonies.
The bald eagle derives its name from its pie-bald, black and white adult plumage which appears after it reaches sexual maturity in its fourth year. Prior to developing the white head and neck feathers, the immature birds are brown and are frequently confused with the similarly sized golden eagle, which shares much of its range throughout vast swath's of North America.
Both species soar over the earthly terrain on long, broad wings which feature primary flight feathers on the wing tips. The sprayed feathers are thought by some to resemble human fingers and are sometimes referred to as "fingertips."
There are ten species of sea eagles that are scattered worldwide, except in South America. Bald eagles are considered one of those ten such species and are usually found near lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal areas. They are attracted to such habitat in their search for fish and sea birds which provide the bulk of their diet. The bald eagle will also prey on rabbits and other small birds and animals. Bald eagles are not above scavenging for carrion and they are accomplished thieves. They frequently resort to stealing hard earned trout dinners from their smaller cousin, the osprey - sometimes called the sea eagle.
Bald eagles vary in weight from roughly six to fourteen pounds at maturity. Their wing span reaches up to eight feet, and their body length can exceed thirty six inches.
In captivity, the bald eagle enjoys a life span of up to forty seven years. But, in the wild, they forfeit some twenty plus years of longevity.
The bald eagle is abundantly equipped to fulfill its role in nature. Its eyesight is estimated to be from four to eight times sharper than a human's. The fixed eye sockets do not permit movement of the eyes and the eagle must turn its head to look around. The eyes are protected by bony protrusions that extend from the skull and overhang the eyes. These sub-orbital ridges protect the eyes from damage while catching flailing prey. And, like sun visors, they also reduce glare on the eyes.
All sea eagles come equipped with large, hooked beaks which are ideally suited to tearing bite sized pieces of flesh from the bones of their prey. On the underside of the toes the eagle is equipped with what is called spicules. Spicules are spiny protrusions that help the eagle secure and hang on to the prey which has been caught in its talons. They are ideally suited to maintaining a grip on the body of a slippery fish.
Bald eagles nest from October to April in the south, and from April to August in the north. They will return to their nests from year to year. Each year the nest is expanded and in time become quite large in size. One nest in Florida measured twenty feet across and weighed over two tons.
Pesticides and hunting came very close to sending the American bald eagle into the black hole of extinction at various times throughout the 20th century. However, after the pesticide DDT was banned following the 1970s, the bald eagle has made a remarkable recovery. It once again soars over most of its former habitat, and it looks as if the great bird - which so majestically defines our nation and our character as Americans - will continue to be a living symbol of our land and our freedom.
For related stories click here
 View images.
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
