Eagle Haven

WELCOME

EAGLE'S FLY

Gee, this cabin looks nice, I think I will move in. Here is a Poem for you: By Emily M Parris

THE EAGLE

The eagle is a magnificent bird, who soars with graceful ease. He's a symbol of our Heritage, as he glides upon the breese.

He's a symbol of our Freedom in his soaring boundless flight. A beacon for Humanity. and a splendid, noble sight.

His huge wingspan soaring flight. Oh Eagle, in your majesty, may we follow you tonight.

May we soar like Eagles on the wings of dreams composed of light. Oh,Eagle in your splendor, may we follow you tonight.

EAGLE FACTS

I live in the Great Northwest, where we see Eagles up the Skagit River often. It is a great breeding ground for them. The Bald Eagle is presently protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is slowly making a come back. Public awareness about their plight, strict enforcement of protective laws, preservation of their habitat, and support for environmental conservation programs can assure a healthy and secure future for U.S.A.'s majestic and symbolic national bird.

COLOR & SIZE:The distinctive white head and tail feathers do not appear until Bald Eagles are about 4 to 5 years old. Their beak and eyes turn yellow during the 4 and 5 year, and are dark brown prior to that time. Bald Eagles are about 29 to 42 inches long, can weight 7 to 15 pounds, and have a wing span of 6 to 8 feet. This makes them one of the largest birds in North America. They have a life span of up to 40 years in the wild, and longer in captivity.

HABITAT & RANGE: Bald Eagles live near large bodies of open water such as lakes, marshes, seacoats and rivers, where there are plenty of fish to eat and tall trees for nesting and roosting. Bald Eagles use a specific territory for nesting, winter feeding or a year-round residence.

FOOD SOURCE & FLIGHT: Bald Eagles feed primarily on fish, but also eat small animals (ducks, coots, muskrats, turtles, rabbits, snakes, etc.) They swoop down to seize fish in their powerful, long and sharp talons. They can carry their food off in flight, but can only lift about half their weight. Bald Eagles can fly at speeds of about 65 miles per hour in level flight, and up to 150 or 200 miles per hour in a dive. They can fly to altitudes of 10,000 feet or more, and can soar aloft for hours using natural wind currents and thermal updrafts.

NESTING & BREEDING: Bald Eagles are monogamous and mate for life. A Bald Eagle will only select another mate if its faithful companion should die. They build large nests, called eynes, at the top of sturdy tall trees. The nest becomes larger as the eagles return to breed and add new nesting materials year after year. Nests are lined with twigs, soft mosses, grasses and feathers. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs annually in the springtime, which hatch after about 35 days of incubation. Hunting, egg incubation, nest watching, eaglet feeding and eaglet brooding duties are shared by both parents until the young are strong enough to fly at about 12 weeks of age.