Grey Eagle

The American Bald Eagle was unofficially chosen as a National Symbol in 1872, when the Constitution of the United States was ratified. It was not officially nominated as such until 1788. There was a heated debate, led by the outstanding statesman Benjamin Franklin, in regards to this bird getting the National Bird. Mr. Franklin wanted the turkey which he thought better symbolized the clean, honest, and more straightforward ideals of the American people. His bid was lost, however, in 1789 when George Washington became the introductory President of the USA, and the Bald Eagle was officially adopted as the “First Bird”.

The American Bald Eagle is the only eagle which is native to North America and it’s only on it is native continent that one may find it. Alaska, the 49th State admitted to the Union, is home to with regards to 35,000 of the 70,000 total population. British Columbia boasts when it comes to 20,000, and the rest predominantly populate the Pacific coastline, with a few scattered allround the rest of the United States. Population is heaviest in the Pacific Northwest due, in part, to the big amount of salmon found there. Eagles depend primarily on fish as a main part of their diets. They will eat little animals such as mice, rabbits, muskrats, duck and snakes and they will resort to eating carrion (dead animals), if necessary. However, they prefer that their feed be of a fresh source and they are partial to fish.

While Bald Eagle are capable of carrying their feed in flight, they may in truth only lift with regards to half of their body weight. Although they may dive, catch fish in the water, and swim to shore with them, they have also been known to drown if the fish is too huge and they don’t let go of it.

The body length, for both males and females, ranges amongst 29 and 42 inches (73.66 to 106.68 centimeters). The male is ordinarily amidst 7 and 9 pounds (.497 to .639 stone) and has a wingspan which may exceed 6 feet (1.83 meters). The female is larger and may weigh up to 14 pounds (.99 stone). She may have a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.44 meters).

In level flight, the Bald Eagle has been recorded at speeds up to 44 miles per hour (70.1 kmp). It may dive (and has been clocked) at speeds of 75 to 100 mph (120.68 to 160.39 kmp). The eagle is capable of riding the thermal air currents in excess of 10000 feet (3048 meters) and may stay aloft doing this for hours at a time.

This species of bird mates for life, and will only seek another mate if their “spouse” dies. They build an “eyrie (also spelled aerie)” in which they incubate their eggs and raise their eaglets until those leave the nest at 12 weekS. An eyrie, or nest, may be built in the tops of giant trees (quite ofttimes aspens) or on a ledge of a mountain. The eagles habitually add to their nests until they reach up to 10 feet (2.54 meters) in diameter. The eyries are lined with soft materials such as leaves, feathers, and moss to provide a suitable area for incubating the eggs once the female lays them.

The eggs are ordinarily laid at the end of April, following a arousing and attention holding “courtship dance” in early April, which the eagles carry out in midair. They dive and climb, and look to be attacking (locking talons, or claws with) each other for the duration of this flight sequence.

After the eggs are laid, the male and the female take turns in hunting, incubating the eggs (34 to 35 days, commonly hatching in late May or early June), monitoring the nest, and brooding/feeding the eaglets until they are big sufficient to fly and leave the nest. This occurs when the eaglets are when it comes to 12 weeks old. They create special flight feathers, which make them look more spectacular than their parents, that serve as extra remainder (sort of like training wheels on a bicycle) while they learn to fly.

Hatchlings are light grey when born, and turn dark brown before leaving the nest. Young adults have brown and white mottled feathers underneath their wings until they reach 5 years of age. At 5 years, the head and tail feathers turn white. The mature bird is not in truth bald. “Bald”, at one time, meant “white”. Thus the name, “bald eagle”. Between the fourth and fifth years, the beak and eyes take on the distinctive yellow color. To see a mature Bald Eagle up close is awe-inspiring. To see one in flight is an experience to cherish for a lifetime.

Preservation Efforts

In spite of the “National Symbols Act” and the “Bald and Gold Eagle Preservation Act,” which were both passed in 1940, the Bald Eagle population declined speedily because farmers killed them for fear of the injure that they could do to their livestock. Hunters and poachers killed them as trophies and for profit, and numerous were killed accidentally. This badly alarmed preservationists. Therefore the American Bald Eagle was officially declared an “Endangered Species” in 1947, under a law which preceded the “Endangered Species Act” of 1973. Until 1995, they were listed as endangered in 43 of the 48 contiguous United States. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington State listed them as “threatened”. In 1995, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) upgraded their status to threatened in the other 43 states.

In February of 2006 an proclamation was made that the USFWS had issued guidelines on how the species will have to be protected by landowners and others, once the bird is no longer listed as a threatened species. Those guidelines include proposals for laws which prohibit disrupting the bird’s breeding, sheltering, or feeding exercises or disturbing it in any manner which could cause injury, death, or nest abandonment. Should those proposals be solidified and approved, it could lead to the remotion of the Bald Eagle from the “threatened” list.

It must be cited that even if the new guidelines are approved, the American Bald Eagle is still protected underneath the “Migratory Bird Treaty Act”, the “Bald and Gold Eagle Preservation Act”, and the “National Symbols Act”. It is illegal to possess, take, barter, trade, sell, transport, import, or export eagles. And it is illegal to gather eagles or their body parts, nests, or eggs without a particular permit. Possession of a feather, or other body parts, is a felony which may carry a fine up to $10,000 USD and/or imprisonment and this is very strictly enforced. However, federally recognized Native Americans are still permitted to possess those emblems which are conventional to their culture.

One may learn more regarding these magnificent, beautiful, and majestic birds and how to support with the continuing preservation attempts by visiting the a good deal of web sites consecrated to them.

Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Photo

Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Photo

Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Pic

Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Photo


Most helpful client reviews

17 of 18 persons found the following review helpful.
5One of my All Time Favorites
By Brittney Hinson
A trapper, his beauteous daughter, and an Indian servant live in peaceful isolation until they commence to spot proof that proves they are not as alone as they thought. After a few days of worry and watchfulness, the trapper decides to investitgate. Leaving his daughter at home, he and his servant start out to hunt for the brazen Indian brave who has watched them each evening…just out of firing range. The hunt proves fruitless and the two return home only to find Beth (trapper’s daughter) missing. And so we watch as those two take off in a pursuit that will lead them deep into dangerous Indian territory.

Meanwhile, Beth, who is terrified of her Indian captor, tries desperately to gain her freedom. However, as he takes her further and further from the only home she has ever known, he shows her unbelievable benignancy and understanding. Beth, almost unwillingly, falls for the man she comes to know as Grayeagle, but their dissimilar heritages and the mystery of why he kidnapped her will have to be get over before they may be together…if they may be together.

A actually romantic and engaging western. It has it is imperfections, at least by the standards of we progressed viewers who are applied to evenly innovative technology, but taking into account that it rather an older film, it’s genuinely rather remarkable and may effortlessly be forgiven a lot.

10 of 11 persons found the following review helpful.
5Lovely
By A
I was arouse to the music/soundtrack from this movie. I had never heard of Alex Cord until the music peaked my interest.
This is a very well written narrative. The Depiction of the loving High Cheyenne Warrior towards the great elderly dying Cheyenne Indian chief, Running Wolf, was very touching. The means he went through to make this outstanding chiefs dream come unfeigned was realistic of the dedication some nationalities have towards their elderly. Americans toss apart their elderly as if they are of no value to society after a sure age. However this movie shows the Indian inheritance as veritably realizing the value of the wisdom our ancestors and seniors provide.

I have enjoyed this movie each time I have viewed it. I love the scenes of gentleness Greyeagle demonstrates so subtly towards Lana Wood as Beth Coulter and watching the tenderness among the young Running Wolf and the beauteous actress who protrays Ida Coulter, Beth’s mother.

Alex Cord is fantastic as Greyeagle. A striking, strong portrayal of an Indian Warrior. What woman would not be astonished at this man’s features and formally presenting something of strength with regards to his dedication to a cause.

It would be well worth anyones time to view the genuinely sweet, innocent and thought provoking movie. Rarely do you find a movie so sweet with no vulgarity at all.

3 of 3 humans found the following review helpful.
5I love this movie!
By kdoris
This is not a very flashy review, but I do not forget seeing this movie when it came out at the theaters when I was 12. I fell in love with it then and I still love it now. It is one of my all time favorites. You can’t go faulty with a cast like Ben Johnson, Iron Eyes Cody and Alex Cord. It is an all around good old fashion movie.

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