Jon M. Gerrard

Review: The Bald Eagle by Jon M. Gerrard.

This is more of a reference book filled with information on America’s National Symbol, The Bald Eagle since 1782. I found it interesting, educating and fascinating. It was well written and very organized. Worldwide eagles have been admired as symbols of majesty, grace, and power, inspiring poets and politicians alike. There are many species that have suffered from senseless unrelenting torment. The United States choice the Bald Eagle as their symbol because they are a highly impressive looking bird.

The wings span of an adult mature Bald Eagle is six to eight feet tip to tip. An eagle isn’t considered an adult until it reaches five or more years old. The first five years they go through molting reaction gradually and they are born a brown hue but their underbodies are always white. It takes the complete five years for the Bald Eagle to have their color markings and white head. Many people might not know a young Bald Eagle for this reason.

According to the data the Bald Eagles were decreasing between the 1960’s and 1970’s because of the powerful DDT insecticide used in many states to lower the large masses of insects, especially the mosquito’s and then later learn it was also harming the birds. When the DDT insecticide was banned throughout the states the research on the Bald Eagle slowly started to increase. The DDT insecticide was banned because it stopped the breeding process of these eagles. A female and male eagle was unable to unite the reproductive cells needed for breeding. If by chance the cells did unite the eggs did not hatch or they did hatch but the baby would be deformed and die within days.

There are photos throughout the book showing how they make their nest, where, when, and especially how they use their wings in flight and how they catch there prey and what they eat. This book also contains the research that has been done over the years on eagles. Such things as; where they build their nests, the size of the nests, which are least six foot wide and almost as deep, and why they habitat near bodies of water and way they choose to nest among a small group of trees out in the open area.… (plus d'informations)