The Bald Eagle  is a very majestic bird that has come to represent the United States.  It has a dark brown body and a white head and tail.   Young eagles are completely dark brown and do not develop majestic white head and tail feathers until they are 5 or 6 years old.   They mainly eat fish, but will also eat a variety of birds,  mammals, and turtles when they cannot get fish.
     Adult eagles average 3 feet tall,  weigh 10 to 12 pounds,  and have a wing span that can reach 7 feet.  The females are usually larger than the males.
    A Bald Eagle's nest is made of large sticks and lined with soft materials such a pine needles and grasses.  The nests are very large, about 6 feet across and weigh hundreds of pounds.  The nests are used by the same eagles year after year.
    The eagles mate for life.  The female lays an average of two eggs in the spring.  In about 4 months the young eaglets are able to care for themselves.

Reason for the species decline in population

     The Bald Eagle began to decrease because of  humans killing it and loss of habitat.  The use of a chemical to control mosquitos had a drastic effect on the eagles.  A chemical called DDE built up in the fatty tissues of adult females and prevented the calcium necessary to produce strong egg shells.

Protection:

     Even though the Bald Eagle has been removed from the Endangered Species list, problems still exist.  The Department of Natural Resources, Eagle Sighting, still keeps a close watch on the species.