The American bald eagle holds a special place in the hearts of Americans as a national symbol representing strength and resilience. After facing a decline in population, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list on June 28, 2007. Since then, there has been a remarkable resurgence in their numbers, with the population multiplying by four since 2009, according to a report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021.
The Once Abundant Bald Eagles:
Once upon a time, bald eagles were abundant across the United States. In fact, when they were adopted as the country’s national symbol in 1782, there were approximately 100,000 nesting birds in the continental United States, including Alaska. They soared through the skies, embodying the spirit of freedom and the beauty of nature.
The Decline and Threats:
- Unfortunately, the populations of bald eagles started to decline in the early 1800s. One of the primary reasons for this decline was the perception that bald eagles posed a threat to livestock, particularly domestic chickens. As a result, they became targets for hunting, which significantly impacted their numbers.
- Another significant factor contributing to the decline of the bald eagle population was the widespread use of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). Initially synthesized in 1874, DDT was promoted as an insecticide in 1939 to combat malaria-carrying mosquitoes and agricultural pests. While effective as an insecticide, DDT had catastrophic consequences for the bald eagle population. It made its way into the food chain, accumulating in the bodies of fish, which are a primary food source for eagles. The ingestion of DDT-contaminated fish caused thinning of eagle eggshells, leading to decreased reproductive success and low survival rates for the offspring.
The Resurgence of the Bald Eagle
- Efforts to protect and conserve the bald eagle began to gain traction, leading to significant changes in its conservation status. Legal protections, such as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940, helped curtail hunting and the commercial trade of bald eagles and their parts. Additionally, the banning of DDT in the United States in 1972 played a pivotal role in initiating the recovery of the bald eagle population.
- As a result of these conservation efforts, the American bald eagle population has made a remarkable comeback. Since being removed from the endangered species list in 2007, the number of bald eagles in their natural habitat has multiplied by four since 2009, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s report in 2021. This resurgence is a testament to the power of conservation and the resilience of nature when given a chance to recover.
The American Bald Eagle:
- Today The American bald eagle, the only eagle solely native to North America, holds a significant place in the hearts of Americans and is revered as a spiritual symbol for indigenous peoples. In 1782, it was chosen to be featured on the country’s Great Seal, symbolizing strength and national pride.
- While the birds are extremely populous in Alaska, where they can be seen year-round, they are also found along the East and West coasts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Mississippi River. In other parts of the United States, bald eagles are mainly seen during the winter and their migration.
- Today, the American bald eagle is classified as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflecting its improved conservation status and increasing populations.
