BaldEagleInfo.com

June 28, 2007 marked a historic day for the national symbol. On that day, the bald eagle was removed from the threatened list for the lower 48 states!

In 1967, due mainly to DDT poisoning, the bald eagle was declared endangered. DDT caused the birds eggs to be produced with a very thin shell, which would be crushed under the weight of the mother.

Many other birds were also nearly driven to extinction by the supposedly beneficial insect killer.

But bas DDT began to be phased out worldwide, the eagle's numbers began climbing. In 1990, I saw my first one in the wild. They like to migrate to northwest Arkansas in the winter, and I was thrilled to see one fly across the road I was driving down.

Many more soon appeared here in the subsequent years, and now i look forward to seeing dozens of them every year.

In fact, we now have nesting pairs on nearby Beaver Lake! That's pretty amazing for a bird whose very existence was nearly snuffed out in the 1960's.

So now, the eagle is considered a healthy species.

Of course, it's still protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act. In fact, a non-native American who even possesses one of its feathers could be subject to a steep fine.

But that's okay. Bald eagles are meant to be enjoyed from a distance. Seeing one of the turkey-sized birds sitting in abare tree on a cold winter day is a real thrill.

http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/

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