American Bald Eagle

30th June, 2023 Environment

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Context

In a 2021 report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it is observed that the number of bald eagles in the wild has increased fourfold since 2009.
It is considered as one of the biggest success stories of conservation of a species.

Other Details

The bird was once facing the risk of extinction and was included in the United States’ list of endangered species.
Due to conservation measures the number started improving and it was removed from the said list in June 2009.

Threats

They were seen as threat to livestock, especially domestic chicken, hence they were hunted.
In 18^th century feather hats were popularized hence more killing of this bird.
Habitat destruction.
Use of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) for mosquitos and agricultural pests it severely affected the bald eagle population.
It led to nesting failure, which is laying of extremely thin-shelled eggs

History and Background

These birds were adopted as the USA’s national symbol in 1782.
As per the American Eagle Foundation, there were as many as 100,000 nesting birds at that time.
It started declining in the early 1800s due to various factors.
Populations kept on declining till about the 1940s.
Extensive use of DDT By the mid to late 1940s.
By 1963, only 417 nesting pairs were remained and identified in the wild.
In 1995, due to conservation efforts, the bald eagle was moved from endangered to threatened status
Finally in 2007, they were removed from the endangered species list.
Current overall population is roughly 316,700.

Trigger Point for Conservation

Rachel Carson’s 1962 book named Silent Spring highlighted detrimental effects of chemical pesticides on environment and bald eagle populations.
The book connected various element of survival which includes materialism, scientism, and the technologically engineered control of nature.

Conservation Efforts

Migratory Birds Treaty Act came into force in 1918.
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in 1940 was passed with an aim to discourage and punish killing of this bird for feathers and to promote conservation.
In 1972, nationwide ban on the use of DDT for agricultural use.
Endangered Species Act was enacted in 1973 for the conservation of habitat of this species.
Also in the 1970s, Captive breeding programmes were launched.
Eagle colonies were bred in captivity, including monitoring of fragile eggs and nestlings, at centres by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Hacking practice, a controlled way to raise and release bald eagles into a wild viable environment from artificial nesting towers, was employed.
Also there were strict restrictions for human activity around nesting areas of eagles.

Bald Eagle

They are also known by their scientific name Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
They belong to the family of Accipitridae.
There are mainly distributes throughout North American continent found most residing in woods by rivers, lakes.
Main diet is fish, turtles, and small mammals such as squirrels and rabbits.
It sometimes eat dead animals or steal prey from
They can be as long as 43 inches and have a wingspan of around 2.5 metres.
They appear dark brown, with a white feathered head and tail.
They are the only sea eagle endemic to North America.