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Bald Eagle <br />Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Endangered Colorado, Federally) <br />The bald eagle - so named because of its white <br />head - is found only in North America, and it's <br />the continent's second largest bird of prey. Only <br />the California condor, also on the federally <br />endangered list, is larger. <br />If eagles were compared to humans, some- <br />one might be tempted to say they have <br />"great bloodlines." These proud-looking <br />creatures have figured prominently in <br />mythology, literature and art, and they've <br />been widely employed as symbols of greatness. Here in the United States, the bald <br />eagle is recognized as the country's national emblem, a distinction it has held <br />since 1872. <br />Adult bald eagles, which have a wingspan of up to eight feet and may weigh <br />as much as 12 pounds, have large brown bodies with white heads and tails, and <br />they fly with deep strokes and soar on flattened wings. The younger members of <br />the species lack the white markings and are frequently confused with golden eagles. <br />The bald eagle prefers to nest in large trees near water with little human activity. <br />They feed mainly on fish in the summer, but in the winter they will eat dead or <br />crippled animals such as waterfowl or winter-killed deer and elk as well as small <br />animals. <br />Population declined due to increased human population in primary nesting areas. <br />The results were habitat destruction, illegal shootings and pesticide poisoning. To <br />combat those problems, existing nest sites and adjacent hunting areas must be kept <br />free of human intrusion during the breeding seasons, and key areas must also be <br />maintained along the major river systems for the wintering bald eagles. <br />Historically, few bald eagles have nested in Colorado, but the state is a very popular <br />wintering area for these birds. The San Luis Valley in the southern part of the <br />state is one of their favorite places because of its supply of open water as well as <br />its high population of rodents and rabbits. <br />Although, few bald eagles nest in <br />Colorado, between 600 to 800 winter in the state. <br />Left: Captive bald eagle in the Denver Zoo.