Few realize the extent of this bird’s remarkable struggle to survive as a species.
As our nation’s emblem, the bald eagle represents freedom, strength and beauty for many Americans. Spotting a bald eagle soaring through Ohio skies is a treat. With its striking white and brown markings and a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet, it is no wonder that it was chosen as the national symbol in 1782. However, few realize the extent of this bird’s remarkable characteristics and the struggle it has endured to survive as a species.
As Ohio’s largest bird of prey, the average adult bald eagle weighs ten to twelve pounds and is 34 to 43 inches long. The female is slightly larger than the male, but both have high-pitched squeaky voices that sound like a cackle. Snow-white feathers cover the bird's head and tail, while the rest of its body is dark brown. This appearance makes adult eagles easy to spot. However, you may have seen an immature bald eagle and not even known it. Immature eagles who are younger than five years old, are mostly brown with speckles of cream and beige on their undersides.
Immature bald eagle
When they reach adulthood, bald eagles begin their search for a mate. Although some research disagrees, it is commonly thought that most eagles mate for life. Between October and December, both recently mated and established pairs go through a process called pair bonding. This includes beautiful aerial displays in which a pair of eagles will ritualistically soar through the air, dipping towards the ground together and then ascending again toward the sky.
Nest building also occurs during this time. Because these birds are known to adopt old nests and add at least six inches of material to them every year, these nests grow to be quite large. While a typical nest is approximately five feet wide, some have been found to be as large as nine feet wide.
Bald eagle nest in Ottawa County
Female bald eagles usually produce two eggs. Both males and females take turns incubating and hunting for food. When the eggs hatch, the pair also shares in the feeding of the eaglets. The eaglets remain in the nest for three or four months and then begin to explore. Most young eagles are fully independent by five months and practice their hunting skills until they are fully mature.
The bald eagle’s favorite meal is fish. With the ability to spot a fish from up to two miles away, an eagle’s vision makes it an excellent hunter. It uses its large talons, which are covered with spicules (small spikes), to swoop down and grab onto its prey in the water. Another large part of the eagle’s diet consists of small animals and other birds. Although many people think of the bald eagle solely as a predator, it is not uncommon for these birds to also scavenge for carrion. They will do this during the winter when food is scarce.
Adult bald eagle
Today, Ohio is home to many of these impressive birds. However, we were not always so lucky. In 1979, there were four nesting pairs of bald eagles in all of Ohio, a species that had been abundant before Europeans settled in America. The clearing of forests in the 18th and 19th centuries destroyed much of the eagle’s habitat. DDT and other dangerous pesticides that were used on farms in the 1950s had devastating effects on the bald eagle population in Ohio. Through runoff, these chemicals entered rivers and lakes and were then passed on to the fish and small animals that make up an eagle’s diet. This caused a major disturbance in reproduction. Many eagles became sterile or produced eggs with extremely thin shells that were easily broken. Adult eagles were dying and no eaglets were being produced. Ironically, the bird chosen to represent the spirit of our nation was well on its way to extinction.
Even after DDT and other pesticides were declared illegal, Ohio’s eagle population continued to suffer. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife soon realized that something proactive needed to be done. In 1979, ODNR established the bald eagle restoration program, whose goal was to increase populations by monitoring and managing them. Healthy eaglets were raised in captivity and then placed in existing nests to be adopted by adult eagles. The project was very involved, requiring trained staff to climb trees, feed eaglets with a glove resembling a beak and even build artificial nests. Time and effort paid off and the project’s goals were soon surpassed. The effort to rehabilitate injured eagles was also a likely contributor to the comeback of the population in our state.
Although we think the eagle is a fierce creature, it is important to remember that it is also extremely sensitive. At even small levels of human disturbance, eagles are known to abandon their young or nests in search of more remote locations. The Endangered Species Act and the Bald Eagle Protection Act protect all bald eagles and their nests. While keeping your eyes open for these majestic birds near river corridors and lakefront parks, it is important to respect their privacy. Use binoculars to catch a glimpse of an animal without disturbing it. The bald eagle is a unique and magnificent bird whose population will hopefully continue to increase in Lake County and throughout the United States.
Eaglet in nest