About
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird of the United States and one of conservation's greatest success stories. DDT pesticide nearly drove it extinct by the 1960s (fewer than 500 breeding pairs remained); following DDT bans and federal protection, bald eagles now number over 316,000 in North America.
Bald eagles are not actually bald — 'bald' derives from the Old English 'balde' meaning white. Their distinctive white head and tail appear at 4–5 years of age. They mate for life, building nests (eyries) that can weigh up to 2 tons after decades of use. Their wingspan reaches 2.4 meters and they can spot prey from 3 km away.
# Top 10 Bald Eagle facts
- 1In 1963, only 487 breeding pairs of bald eagles remained in the US — today there are over 316,000
- 2Bald eagle nests can weigh up to 2 tons after years of additions — the largest bird nests in the world
- 3They mate for life and return to the same nest year after year
Fascinating Facts
- ◆In 1963, only 487 breeding pairs of bald eagles remained in the US — today there are over 316,000
- ◆Bald eagle nests can weigh up to 2 tons after years of additions — the largest bird nests in the world
- ◆They mate for life and return to the same nest year after year
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