In June 1999, the US Fish and Wildlife Service introduced a proposal to remove the bald eagle from the endangered species list, and concluded that the national bird has fully recovered. At present, the proposal is temporarily on hold pending the development of regulatory changes to the Bald and Goldern Eagle Protection Act that would address concerns such as habitat protection. However, scientists warn that the recent population increase could soon be reversed as the shoreline habitat that the eagle requires is developed. The bald eagle is found near large bodies of water throughout North America, from central Alaska and northern Canada to northern Mexico, Baja California, the Gulf Coast and southern Florida. Ideal eagle habitat consists of mature shoreline forests with scattered openings and little human use, near water with abundant fish and waterfowl.
Nests can be up to six feet in diameter and weigh hundreds of pounds.
They are usually constructed of large sticks and lined with soft materials such as pine needles and grasses. Breeding pairs of bald eagles mate for life. Females lay one to three eggs between January and March, with a peak in February. Incubation lasts for 35 days. Chicks typically leave the nest at 10 to 12 weeks of age.