Water birds eagles bald eagles. While migrating eagles ride columns of rising air called thermals and can average speeds of 30 mph 50 kilometers. Not all eagles migrate. At dollywood guests can stroll along the edge of eagle mountain sanctuary where they will see the largest exhibit of non releasable bald eagles in the united states. The bald eagle haliaeetus leucocephalus is a member of the sea and fish eagle group.
Characteristics qa about bald eagles with peter nye new york department of environmental conservation. Bald eagles live along the coast as well as by major lakes and rivers. Bald eagle the only eagle solely native to north america and the national bird of the united states. According to the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission eagles nest and roost in forests.
The bird is not actually bald. In the lower 48 states minnesota and florida follow in numbers of nesting bald eagles. Its closest relatives similar in appearance and habit are found in africa and asia. Learn more about the appearance habitat and diet of bald eagles in this article.
The bald eagle haliaeetus leucocephalus is a bird of prey found in north americaa sea eagle it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white tailed eagle haliaeetus albicillaits range includes most of canada and alaska all of the contiguous united states and northern mexicoit is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old growth trees. Habitat destruction and degradation illegal shooting and the contamination of its food source largely as a consequence of ddt decimated the. The act prohibits the taking or possession of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg unless allowed by permit. Bald and golden eagles are protected under the bald and golden eagle protection act passed by congress in 1940.
Bald eagle migration habits. Its name derives from the conspicuous appearance of its white feathered head upon a dark brown body. The bald eagle is an endangered species act success story. Forty years ago our national symbol was in danger of extinction throughout most of its range.