Bald eagle is NOT the national bird of America YET

It may surprise some people and it certainly surprised me that the bald eagle is not the national bird of America although it is strongly associated with, and representative of, America's culture; a country where freedom is vital to all Americans which comes about through independence, strength and the support of a family. The bald eagle does all these things and therefore should be the national bird of America.

Image: MikeB

They are a majestic bird and the bald eagle has appeared on the great Seal of the United States since 1782. This is when the founding fathers desired a powerful image at the beginnings of their country.

For mammals, the bison is the national animal of America and the National tree of America is the oak but no such designation has been made for birds.

But this bird has a powerful advocate in Preston Cook, a volunteer at the National Eagle Centre, a non-profit group based in Minnesota. This non-profit is lobbying Congress to remedy this omission.

Preston Cook believes that it's time they did it. He believed that, "It's a small correction in history for something that has been left undone. It [the majesty of the bald eagle's freedom] is ingrained in us."

He added that "It's a symbol of freedom, of independence, of power and family."

The bald eagle, Preston Cook says, mates for life and they look after their young diligently. They should represent America.

The rectification can be achieved through an act of Congress or by a presidential proclamation and Preston Cook, 77, prefers the former.

Preston Cook is the author of "American Eagle: a Visual History of our National Emblem".

And he has written a bill which has the backing of a Minnesotan congressman, Brad Finstad, in addition to 2 others Amy Klobuchar and Cynthia Lummis. He hopes the bill will be made official by the end of 2024.

Sadly, this beautiful bird has been relentlessly hunted throughout the US for centuries. By the end of the 19th century sightings of bald eagles were rare in many areas. In response, in 1940, Congress enacted legislation to protect them.

America now has an estimated 316 700 bald eagles flying across their wide, open skies.

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Threats to the bald eagle

The bald eagle faces several threats in America, which can be spelled out as follows:

• Habitat Destruction: Loss of shoreline and old-growth forests reduces nesting sites and hunting grounds.
• Lead Poisoning: Scavenging on carcasses left by hunters using lead ammunition leads to poisoning.
• Human Disturbance: Disruption during nesting season by recreational activities can cause nesting failures.
• Power Line Electrocution: Collisions with power lines can cause injury or death.
• Wind Turbine Collisions: Wind farms located in eagle migration paths pose a risk of collisions.
• Entanglement in Monofilament Fishing Line: Discarded fishing line can trap and injure eagles.
• Illegal Shooting: Though uncommon, eagles are still sometimes shot illegally.
• Contaminants: Pesticides and other pollutants can harm eagle health and reproduction.

Conservation of the bald eagle

The successful conservation of the bald eagle in America is a heartwarming story and can be spelled out like this:

• Protection Laws: The Bald Eagle Protection Act (1940) and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) prohibit harming eagles, their nests, and eggs.
• DDT Ban: The ban on the pesticide DDT in the 1970s allowed eagle eggshells to thicken again, improving chick survival.
• Habitat Protection: Establishment of wildlife refuges and conservation easements safeguards nesting and hunting grounds.
• Captive Breeding and Reintroduction: Programs helped rebuild populations in depleted areas.
• Public Education: Raising awareness about the importance of eagles and the threats they face fosters public support for conservation efforts.
• Law Enforcement: Vigilance against illegal shooting and habitat destruction ensures the eagle's continued recovery.
• Monitoring and Research: Ongoing studies track eagle populations and identify new threats, allowing for informed conservation strategies.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.