Biology
Title: Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Information: I would like to know more about Bald Eagles. Are they still an endangered species? Has any progress been made to help the species survive? The Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, a native North American bird, has suffered from both excessive hunting and pesticide poisoning in the U.S. The Bald Eagle is protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and both state and federal initiatives are helping the species to recover. A recent article, dated January 31, 2004, appeared in the New York Times: "Crossing Their (Flight) Path" by Anthony DePalma, which reports news on the growing bald eagle population in New York State. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/31/nyregion/31eagle.html?ex=1076216400&en=8ce5d3c98034b90f&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE For more information about bald eagles, check out the following sites listed under the AskNSDL Homepage http://asknsdl.askvrd.org/index.asp) category, "Zoology" as "NSDL Collections." The Animal Diversity Web The University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology provides information on habitat, geographic range, reproduction, behavior and conservation efforts to protect the species. Type "bald eagle" in the search box. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Aves.html Smithsonian National Zoo - Birds of the National Zoo Provides fact sheet on Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus.) http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/birds/meet_the_zoos_birds/zoo_bird_info.cfm?bird=bald%20eagle Cornell Lab of Ornithology - All About Birds - Bald Eagle Provides "cool facts," images, range map and sound recording of the Bald Eagle. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle.html You can also use the Google search engine athttp://www.google.com. Click on the "Advanced Search" tab and type in the phrase "bald eagle" and limit the domains to ".gov", ".org" or ".edu". Some good results are listed below. USGS "Bald Eagle" (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Basic fact sheet from U.S. Geological Survey, a "Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment." http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3520id.html U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services - Bald Eagle Press releases (current and historic) regarding the endangered species status of the bald eagle. http://endangered.fws.gov/i/b0h.html Shrub-Steppe Ecology Series Information about bald eagles and activities for learning about them. http://www.pnl.gov/pals/resource_cards/Bald_Eagles.stm Audobon Provides basic fact sheet and updates on the species. Type "bald eagle" in search box, and scan the results. http://www.audubon.org/ Thank you for your interesting question about bald eagles. You might also check with the librarian at your school or public library for more information. The AskNDSL staff
Category: Biology