As little as 40 years ago it was difficult to find a Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus in much of the lower-48 United States. The use of DDT as a pesticide led to reproductive failure in birds high on the food chain which led to bio-concentration of the toxin, and failure of the eggs of this species as well as many others like Brown Pelican, Peregrine Falcon and others.
Now it is commonplace to see Bald Eagles, sometimes seeing many in one place during the winter when they congregate at food sources like salmon runs.
On visits to places like the lower Skagit River in Washington I can see over 300 Bald Eagles in an easy day of birding.
Although they look ferocious, and can take prey as large as small dogs, they are primarily scavengers,and prefer to feed on dead or dying fish when available.
That said I've seen a pair of eagles teaming up to kill and eat a California Gull, and seeing them with a snake or live fish is commonplace.
It's nice to have a national bird that is so photogenic, and now commonpolace to see.
Bald Eagles take about 5 years to reach their full adult plumage, and mottled white and black young birds like this can be confused with Golden Eagles to novice birders, and sometimes at a distance to anyone.
Here is a adult Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos for comparison. Note that the Bald Eagle is in a different genus than the Golden Eagle. The Bald Eagle is in the "sea eagle" group of eagles.
Note the relatively smaller head and bill, the relatively longer tail, and the even coloration.
Eagles are fun. Good birding and good day!
