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EAGLE
The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. An eagle doesn't acquire its white head feathers, from which it gets its name, until it reaches maturity at four or five years of age. These eagles are rehabilitated birds that were injured in the wild. Their injuries were too severe to heal completely, so they can no longer survive in the wild. They now have a permanent home at the Birmingham Zoo and continue to benefit wild eagle populations through raise and release programs for their offspring. Eagle populations declined so much in the last century that it has been declared an endangered species. Habitat loss, shooting and pesticides all contributed to this decline. Recent trends are encouraging, however. Restrictions on pesticide use and captive rearing and release programs have increased bald eagle numbers. You can see wild bald eagles in Alabama during the winter months at Lake Guntersville State Park.
EAGLE FACTS
Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
RANGE: Formerly common throughout North \par \tab\tab\tab America. Healthy populations are still present in Alaska and Florida.
HABITAT: Lakes, large rivers and coastlines\par \tab
DIET: Mostly fish, also eats waterfowl and carrion young: Two or more chicks may be hatched \par \tab\tab\tab but only one is usually raised.A stick nest is often built in a large tree. \par \tab\tab\tab The nest is added to annually and\par \tab\tab\tab may become huge after many years . Occasionally nests on the ground.
