Return of the Bald Eagle
by Carolyn Kraft A male eagle returns to his Twin Rocks nest on Catalina Island. In 1782, six years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and a new nation was born, Congress chose the bald eagle as the national emblem of the United States. Today, the eagle is printed, painted and carved on everything having anything to do with our government. But how often do Americans consciously think of this great bird? Probably not that often. So in honor of the Fourth of July, “Wild Things” is taking time to raise eagle awareness because the bald eagle is so much more than a banner waving bird on the back of a dollar bill. The bald eagle or Haliaeetus leucocephalus is the second largest bird of prey in North America. Averaging more than three feet in length with a wingspan of 6 to 7.5 feet, the bald eagle is one big bird. And while Congress is still mostly dominated by men, the female bald eagle is 25 percent larger than the male. Does this mean she dominates bald eagle meetings? Stay tuned… Aside from their size difference, male and female bald eagles sport the same striking look with chocolate brown bodies, offset by white heads and tail feathers and accented by gold-yellow…
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