Affiches American Bald Eagle

A majestic American Bald Eagle sits atop a dead tree surveying it's territory for prey at the St. Marks National WildLife Refuge, Florida. June 28, 2007 - The Interior Department took the American bald eagle off the endangered species list. The removal of the bald eagle from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. -The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a member of the sea and fish eagle group. -Color - Both male and female adult bald eagles have a blackish-brown back and breast; a white head, neck, and tail; and yellow feet and bill. -Juvenile bald eagles are a mixture of brown and white. They reach full maturity in four to five years. -Size - The female bald eagle is 35 to 37 inches, slightly larger than the male. -Wingspan ranges from 72 to 90 inches. -Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph. -Bald eagles weigh from ten to fourteen pounds. -Eagle bones are light, because they are hollow. -The beak, talons, and feathers are made of keratin. -Bald eagles have 7,000 feathers. -Longevity - Wild bald eagles may live as long as thirty years. -Bald eagles sit at the top of the food chain.