Exploring Nature: Bald Eagles

Let us consider our national bird, the bald eagle. The U.S. Congress approved this bird as our national emblem on June 20, 1782. But not without some vigorous debate, Benjamin Franklin, for one, insisted the wild turkey would be a better choice.

He claimed the bald eagle was a bully and thief, feeding on carrion and stealing fish from the smaller osprey. But Congress overruled Ben and the eagle was approved.

Despite its status as our national bird, the bald eagle was shot by hunters and suffered greatly from pesticide use, especially DDT, in later years. But finally conservation efforts were made and DDT was banned and the eagle began a slow recovery.