Description

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Context:

The bald eagle, a long-time American emblem, is now officially the U.S. national bird. President Biden signed legislation confirming its status, honouring its historic significance on the Great Seal and U.S. currency.

About Bald Eagle

Scientific Name	*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*
Common Name	Bald Eagle
Native Range	Exclusively in North America, from Mexico to Canada, with a significant population in Alaska.
National Significance	National emblem of the United States since 1782. A spiritual symbol for Indigenous people long before that.
Appearance	Brown body and wings with white head and tail. Curved yellow beak and yellow feet with sharp black claws.
Juvenile Appearance	Mostly brown with occasional white markings on the wings and chest.
Sexual Dimorphism	Females are larger than males but share the same coloration.
Habitat Range	Found year-round in Alaska, the east and west coasts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Mississippi River. Migrates to other parts of the U.S. during winter.
Diet	Primarily fish; also small birds, rodents, and carrion, and opportunistically steal food from other birds, such as the eagle owl.
Social Structure	Solitary but monogamous. Maintains the same breeding pair year after year.
Conservation Status	Delisted from the Endangered Species Act in 2007 due to successful recovery efforts. IUCN Status: Least Concern.

Population Decline since 1800

Statistics: Bald eagles were once abundant throughout the United States. When they were adopted as the country's national symbol in 1782, there were as many as 100,000 breeding birds in the continental United States (including Alaska). However, their population began to decline in the early 19th century.

Reasons for the decline

Hunting

Bald eagles began to be considered a threat to livestock, especially domestic chickens, and were hunted. Hunting intensified in the second half of the century, when feathered hats became a fashion staple.

Appearance of DDT

DDT, or dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, was first synthesized in 1874. However, it was first promoted as an insecticide in 1939 and began to be used to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes and agricultural pests. Although extremely effective as an insecticide, DDT has had a disastrous effect on the bald eagle population.

Steps taken to protect the bird

The role of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring

This book documents for the first time the harmful effects of chemical pesticides on the environment. He carefully described how DDT was the main cause of the decline in bald eagle populations.

Banning the use of DDT for agricultural purposes: A nationwide ban on the use of DDT for agricultural purposes was introduced in 1972.

Introduction of the Endangered Species Act in 1973

This law expanded already existing protections for endangered species, particularly with a focus on protecting animal habitats.
The golden eagle was one of the original species protected under this law.

Captive breeding programs and strict habitat protection

Captive breeding programs began in the 1970s and have proven key to helping bald eagles recover.
Conservationists commonly used a practice known as hacking.
- - Hacking is a controlled way to raise and release bald eagles into the wild in a viable environment from artificial nesting towers.
  - This method simulates a wild eagle nesting area and helps with restoration in an area where repopulation is desired.
Strict restrictions have been put in place on human activity around eagle nests or known breeding grounds.

Source:

INDIA TODAY

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following statements about the Bald Eagle is/are correct?

The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States of America.
It primarily feeds on fish and is often found near large bodies of water.
Bald Eagles are considered endangered species globally.
The Bald Eagle is characterized by its white head and tail, and brown body.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 1, 2, and 4 only

(D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Bald Eagle was chosen as the national bird of the United States in 1782 due to its strength, grace, and long life.

Statement 2 is correct: Bald Eagles are primarily fish eaters, and they are commonly found near rivers, lakes, and coastal habitats where fish are abundant.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Bald Eagles were once listed as endangered in the U.S. due to hunting and DDT pesticide use, their population has significantly recovered, and they are now classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Statement 4 is correct: The distinctive appearance of the Bald Eagle includes a white head and tail with a dark brown body and wings, which is particularly noticeable in adult birds.