Bald eagles are a majestic and iconic bird species that is native to North America. They are large birds of prey that are recognizable by their distinctive white head and tail feathers. But why are they called “bald” eagles when they have a full head of white feathers? This peculiar name dates back centuries and stems from a misunderstanding of the word “bald”.
The Origins of the Name
In the late 18th century, the founding fathers of the United States were determining the country’s national symbols. For the national bird, Benjamin Franklin argued for the turkey. However, the bald eagle was ultimately chosen due to its regal nature and connection to national pride and freedom. But why was this bird referred to as the “bald” eagle?
The term bald actually derives from an Old English word that had two meanings. One definition meant “white or pale”- which aptly described the head coloration of the eagle. However, another definition meant “bare or bold”. This second meaning is likely why the early European settlers named them bald eagles- because their white heads stood out bare against the darker feathers of their wings and bodies.
Over time, the name bald eagle stuck even though the original meaning and inspiration had long been forgotten. Today, the white-feathered head of the bald eagle remains the inspiration for its centuries-old moniker.
Appearance and Markings
To fully understand the bald eagle’s distinctive name, it helps to understand the bird’s appearance. Bald eagles have brown bodies with a white head and tail. Their wingspan averages between 6-7 feet across and they weigh 8-14 pounds.
Adult bald eagles have bright white heads, necks, and tails. Their bills, legs, and eyes are bright yellow. Their wings are mainly dark brown, while their back and belly feathers are a lighter brown color.
Juvenile bald eagles look quite different, with entirely dark brown plumage. They gradually acquire more white feathers over 4-5 years until they reach full adult plumage. The contrast of the white feathers on juvenile bald eagles’ dark wings likely inspired their “bald” moniker centuries ago.
Feature | Adult Bald Eagle | Juvenile Bald Eagle |
---|---|---|
Head | White | Brown |
Tail | White | Brown |
Wings | Dark Brown | Dark Brown |
Back | Light brown | Dark brown |
Belly | Light brown | Dark brown |
Meaning of “Bald”
As mentioned, the original meaning of the term bald that inspired the naming of the bald eagle actually meant white or pale. This Old English word dates back over 1,000 years to between 900-1000 AD. The word bald derived from the Old French term “bald” and was used to describe white spots or streaks on animals such as horses and cows.
Eventually, the word bald evolved to mean white-headed or pale. When European settlers in the Americas encountered the white-feathered eagle, they likely drew inspiration from the existing definition of bald meaning pale or white.
The secondary meaning of bald meaning bare or bold was also possibly an inspiration for the name. However, the white coloration, not the lack of feathers, was likely the main motivation behind dubbing it the “bald” eagle centuries ago.
How Bald Eagles Got Their Name
In the mid-1700s, European settlers in North America began referring to the regal, white-headed eagle as the bald eagle. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name comes from the 1750s. In a book titled American Ornithology, naturalist Mark Catesby describes the eagle species under the heading “Bald Eagle”.
Benjamin Franklin later lamented this name in 1784, stating:
“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country. He is a Bird of bad moral character. He does not get his Living honestly…For in truth, the Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America.”
Regardless, the name bald eagle endured and became cemented when the founders selected the iconic bird as the country’s official emblem in 1782. Images of the bald eagle became synonymous with the ideals of independence, freedom, and democracy.
The bald eagle’s name has puzzled people for over 200 years, leading many to mistakenly assume the term bald referred to a lack of feathers rather than the bird’s white head. However, knowing the linguistic origins and evolution of the word bald reveals why the regal bird became known as the bald eagle.
Habitat and Distribution
Now that the history and origins of the name have been covered, here is some background information on bald eagles and their natural habitat across North America:
Bald eagles are found across North America, from Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico. They live primarily near coasts, rivers, large lakes, and reservoirs. Their habitat ranges from tundra to desert landscapes.
Nests are typically built high up in large trees or on cliffs overlooking water. Breeding pairs add material each year and some bald eagle nests grow to over 9 feet wide and weigh 1 ton!
Bald eagles thrive where there is abundant aquatic life to prey on, like fish, waterfowl, and seabirds. They require ample shoreline forests or cliffs with old trees suitable for nesting.
Due to habitat loss and the pesticide DDT, bald eagle populations severely declined in the 20th century. However, conservation efforts and banning DDT allowed them to recover. Today, there are over 300,000 bald eagles in the lower 48 states.
Key Habitat Features
- Near coasts, rivers, lakes, reservoirs
- Forests along shorelines
- Cliffs overlooking waterways
- Abundant fish and aquatic bird populations
Bald eagles can adapt to a variety of habitats but feature old trees and aquatic prey are vital. The availability of nesting sites and food determine where bald eagles can thrive.
Diet and Hunting
Bald eagles are opportunistic predators, feeding mainly on fish and other readily available aquatic prey. Their diet varies based on location and consists of:
Fish
Fish comprise the majority of a bald eagle’s diet. They swoop down and snatch fish from the water with their talons. Common fish prey includes:
- Salmon
- Carp
- Catfish
- Shad
- Trout
Waterfowl
Bald eagles also prey on ducks, geese, herons, gulls, and other water birds. They may wade into shallow water to grab them or steal them from other eagles.
Other Prey
When fish and waterfowl are scarce, bald eagles supplement their diet with mammals like rabbits, raccoons, muskrats, and squirrels. They also eat carrion and roadkill.
Bald eagles feed opportunistically based on what’s available. They hunt primarily during the day and use their keen eyesight to locate prey while soaring, perching, or flying low over water. Their large talons allow them to swiftly grab fish and waterfowl. Eagles eat 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 pound of food per day on average.
Breeding and Reproduction
Bald eagles reach sexual maturity around 4-5 years old. They mate for life with pairs reusing the same nesting territory year after year. Here’s an overview of their breeding habits:
- Breed from February to July depending on latitude
- Lay 1-3 eggs per clutch
- Incubate eggs for 34-36 days
- Eaglets fledge at 11-14 weeks old
- Fledglings rely on parents for 4-5 additional weeks
Bald eagle pairs demonstrate remarkable loyalty with low rates of separation seen in decades-long studies. They perform aerial displays and have complex courtship rituals to re-establish their bond each breeding season.
Both parents share nesting duties. The eggs and eaglets are extremely vulnerable so adult bald eagles are highly defensive. Bald eagles usually mate for life and may return to the same nest for over a decade.
Threats and Conservation
For much of the 20th century, bald eagle populations dramatically declined due to:
Habitat Loss
Draining wetlands and clearing shoreline forests severely reduced bald eagle nesting habitat.
Pesticides
The pesticide DDT accumulated in eagles and caused their eggshells to be too thin and prone to breakage, greatly limiting reproduction.
Lead Poisoning
Scavenging carcasses containing lead bullets caused lead poisoning in many bald eagles.
In 1940, there were just 400 breeding pairs left in the lower 48 states. Bald eagles were officially declared endangered in many states.
Recovery Efforts
Protecting and restoring habitats, banning DDT, and regulations on lead ammunition allowed bald eagle numbers to rebound significantly. They were declared recovered and removed from the endangered species list in 2007.
Ongoing conservation aims to protect shoreline habitats and limit disturbances during nesting season. Nesting success is the main factor influencing bald eagle population stability.
Significance as National Symbol
Shortly after the Declaration of Independence, the bald eagle was chosen as the national emblem of the United States in 1782. Several factors contributed to its iconic status:
- Widespread across North America
- Large, powerful, and majestic appearance
- Association with authority and leadership
- Linked to principles of democracy and liberty
The bald eagle was believed to represent American ideals like independence, justice, strength, and courage. Images of it clutching arrows and an olive branch appear on the Great Seal adopted in 1782.
Despite Benjamin Franklin’s reservations, the bald eagle has endured as the quintessential American national symbol. It appears on coins, flags, stamps, logos, seals, and more. The majestic white-headed eagle continues to be a living emblem of the United States.
Interesting Facts
In summary, here are some key facts highlighting interesting traits and capabilities of the American bald eagle:
- Can reach speeds over 75 mph while diving
- Have 7,000 psi of gripping power in their talons
- Weigh 8-14 lbs with a wingspan of 6-7 feet
- Only 15% survive to adulthood
- Build nests up to 13 ft deep and 9 ft wide
- Fish make up 90% of bald eagles’ diet
- Occur across Alaska, Canada, and all of the lower 48 states
- Declared a national symbol in 1782 after much dispute
- Threatened by pesticides and habitat loss until protected in 1970s
- Removed from endangered species list in 2007
These remarkable raptors are skilled hunters, deft fliers, and devoted mates. By understanding the meaning behind their unusual name, we gain appreciation for the bald eagle’s history and significance as America’s national emblem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bald eagles were aptly named centuries ago by European settlers who referred to the white-feathered eagle as “bald” based on an Old English word meaning white or pale. This distinctive white head contrasts against its brown body, inspiring the name.
Over time, the original meaning behind the term bald was lost, leading to misconceptions that the bird lacks feathers. In reality, the eagle’s white head feathers were the inspiration all along.
Examining the linguistics reveals the bald eagle was named for its appearance, not mistakenly due to baldness. This iconic bird continues to be a symbol freedom and democracy over 200 years after being adopted as the national emblem of the United States of America. The majestic bald eagle remains an enduring symbol of the American spirit today.