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Sharp eye
The characteristic American bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), with its sharp gaze and bright yellow beak, is the best known of its species. You will find the American bald eagle on the raptor safari.
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
near lakes and the sea in North America
Food:
fish, eggs, smaller birds and small mammals
Lifespan:
15 to 19 years
Weight:
4 to 5 kilograms
Number of eggs:
1 to 3 eggs per year
Incubation period:
5 to 6 weeks
To be seen:
at the raptor safari
IUCN status:
endangered
EEP:
no
About the Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is a large and powerful bird of prey with a distinctive appearance. Besides the white head and tail, the body of this bald eagle is completely dark brown which can sometimes appear almost black. Both the eyes and beak of this bird of prey are bright yellow, its legs have a slightly darker tone. It sometimes seems that the bald eagle looks very "severe" out of its eyes, however, this is due to the construction of its skull. Just above its eyes the skull protrudes slightly, this prevents the sun from shining into the bald eagle's eyes. In appearance, males and females look almost the same, only the body itself can be a bit larger in females.
Habitat and threats
The bald eagle lives in North America, especially near large lakes, rivers and coastal areas. These are ideal places for this bird of prey because of the abundance of fish. The bald eagle often builds its nest high in trees or on cliffs near the water, where it has a good overview of its surroundings.
In the twentieth century, the number of bald eagles declined sharply. This was mainly due to the use of pesticides such as DDT, which accumulated in the food chain and weakened the birds' eggs. Hunting and habitat loss due to deforestation also played a role. Thanks to protective measures, a ban on DDT and stricter wildlife laws, the population has now recovered significantly. Still, protection remains necessary, especially against pollution and disturbance of their habitat.
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Species conservation in the wild
The status of the bald eagle is endangered. Unfortunately, many of the species you see in the Safari Park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Do you want to know how?
More about Stichting Wildlife