New Eagle Exhibit Open

July 2, 2007 As progress of "the new zoo" becomes visible, we are excited to announce the opening of a new bald eagle habitat, located in the renovated old polar bear exhibit. Exhibit details: -The exhibit itself consists of 1,000 square feet, meticulously landscaped with Atlas cedar trees and other native plants to duplicate the eagles’ natural North American habitat. -Water flows through a streambed at the perimeter of the exhibit area adjacent to the visitor pathway, adding to the authentic and immersive feel.  -Two bald eagles, a male and a female, occupy the exhibit.  The eagles have been on display at the zoo in another location (near the main entrance) since 2004, while planning and construction of this permanent exhibit was underway.

Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Proud to be an American... The Bald Eagle has been the symbol of the United States since 1872.  Once rare in North America, it is now making a comeback. It’s the only eagle solely native to North America.

Life long flying partners: Eagles mate for life, but when it is not breeding season each pair separates. So if you ever see a bald eagle in the wild it may be flying solo. During mating season, they reestablish pair bonds with spectacular courtship dances. They soar high in the sky, grab each other’s talons and free fall breaking off right before the ground. The female hatches 2 or 3 white to pale blue eggs which are incubated for 35 days. Typically only one egg matures to a full-grown eagle.

Likes a nice view… Eagles nest and perch in a tall tree branch near lakes and rivers to catch their primary food, fish.  Although fish is preferred they are willing to adapt their diet to also eat carrion. 

Fast and (not too) furious… Eagles dive at 200 mph! Before hitting the ground, they open their wings and brace the tail fan to create a drag. That’s an impressive move with a wingspan that measures 7-8 feet across. They catch the late morning and midday thermal updrafts to soar to very high altitudes. Sounds like a great “bird’s eye view” for catching fish and small carrion mammals! 

Conservation status: Bald Eagles are a great example of how positive actions can make a difference for wildlife. Once a species in peril, (just under 400 nesting pairs remained in the 48 lower states in 1963), the eagle has made a dramatic recovery thanks greatly to the Endangered Species Act and the work of concerned citizens who took steps to protect this majestic bird.  Bald eagles are now mostly found in the northern United States or northeastern Canada.

Today, after decades of conservation effort, the continental United States is home to roughly 10,000 nesting pairs, 25 times more than existed forty years ago.  A true conservation success story, on June 28, 2007, bald eagles were taken off of the Endangered Species List!

Explore more!
The US Fish and Wildlife published a frequently asked questions document about the Bald Eagle Recovery. Click the link below to read: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/BaldEagle/Bald%20Eagle%20Final%20Q&As.pdf

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