Bald Eagles

Bald Eagle - a unique species to the North America it was chosen as the National Emblem of the US. It also has a special place in native American culture, where acts of bravery and valor were awarded with eagle feathers. These birds usually reside next to large bodies of water like lakes, rivers or the coast and can survive up to 40 years in the wild. They make their homes in tall trees that can withstand rough weather or in rock crevices. They feed on fish, which they capture by swooping down and carrying off with their sharp talons. They also eat small animals, and are often seen stealing prey captured by other birds. An interesting fact is that the bald eagles mate for life, and share a nest and parenting responsibilities with their companion. The size of their nests increases every year, with constant addition of twigs, moss and grass. Conservation efforts from private and public entities paid off, when in 1995 they were put on the threatened list and subsequently on June 28, 2007 were taken off it. Today, though they are still facing threats, they are carefully monitored and protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act.