Eagle

Eagle species soar above mountains, forests, deserts, and coastlines, spotting prey from more than a mile away thanks to retinas packed with light-sensitive cells. Broad wings and strong chest muscles keep eagles aloft for hours as they ride thermals, while hooked beaks and dagger-like talons dispatch fish, waterfowl, rabbits, or carrion. Bald eagles specialize in fish along lakes and coasts, whereas golden eagles quest over grasslands and alpine ridges for mammals.

Eagles build enormous stick nests called eyries high in trees or on cliff ledges, reusing and enlarging them each year until they weigh hundreds of pounds. Mated pairs often stay together for life, performing synchronized flight displays to strengthen bonds. Eggs hatch asynchronously, and older chicks may outcompete younger siblings, although ample food lets multiple eaglets thrive. Parents carry prey in their talons and tear it into pieces for hungry youngsters until they fledge at around three months.

These raptors once declined due to habitat loss, shooting, and pesticides like DDT that thinned eggshells. Protective laws, cleaner waterways, and banning harmful chemicals spurred dramatic recoveries in many countries. Today, eagles still face threats from lead fragments in game carcasses, collisions with power lines or wind turbines, and human disturbance near nests. Wildlife agencies install nest cameras to monitor productivity and work with utilities to insulate power poles.

Eagles provide ecosystem services by removing sick fish and carrion, helping prevent disease spread. Indigenous cultures revere eagles as spiritual messengers, and modern nations feature them on flags and currencies. Birdwatchers travel long distances to witness eagle gatherings at salmon runs or hawk watch stations. Citizen scientists contribute counts through programs such as Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count or HawkWatch International, offering data that guides management decisions.

Students explore eagle biology by measuring wingspans with rope, analyzing pellets, or tracking tagged birds online. Classroom discussions about DDT bans illustrate how science and policy can rescue near-extinct species. By keeping shorelines clean, disposing of fishing line properly, and supporting lead-free ammunition, communities ensure that eagles continue to wheel across bright skies as symbols of resilience and wildness.