The bald eagle is a symbol of the United States . An image of the bird is on the flag and seal of the U .S . president , the seal of the U .S . Supreme Court , military insignia , as well as the dollar bill .
Even so , the bird has had its ups and downs .
At one time , the bald eagle was at risk of permanent disappearance , or extinction . Later , however , its numbers recovered . In the early 2000s , the federal government removed the bird from its endangered species list .
Culturally , too , the raptors are doing well again . In December 2024 before leaving office , Joe Biden signed legislation officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the United States .
Their well -being was connected a bug poison
The bald eagle has a long complex story of species weakness and recovery . An insect -killing chemical called DDT played a major part in that story .
DDT is a chemical used to kill insects . The substance also proved harmful to eagle eggs . American officials banned DDT in 1972 . But the use of the chemical had already caused severe damage to eagle populations . For example , in the 1980s there was only one nesting pair of eagles in the state of New Jersey . Now , there are about 300 pairs .
Efforts to save bald eagles
To rebuild the number of eagles across the U .S ., researchers wanting to save them imported the birds from places where their population numbers were secure , including Canada .
Early on , they also removed eggs from their nests so they could safely hatch with scientists before being returned to their parents to raise , explained Kathy Clark . She is the head of New Jersey’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program .
Clark has worked with the birds for many years . This includes the time when New Jersey had very few bald eagles , and they only lived in areas far from people .
Clark said that she will always remember that feeling of not knowing if the species will survive .
Maia Edwards is the science director at the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Alaska . She says the species represents “one of the few conservation success stories of animals ” that came close to disappearing permanently from America .
“…I think now it’s really important to make sure people know that story and learn from it ,” she said .
Clark said the eagles have taught officials some lessons . One is that the raptors are good at changing to fit their environment . The birds now live in parts of New Jersey that are dense with people .
But , the birds still face dangers in such areas .
Jilian Fazio is director of the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in northern New Jersey . She said the zoo rescues a number of birds hit by cars . The zoo also is home to Freedom , a bald eagle named by the caretakers . Freedom was rescued hanging from a tree in Minnesota after he got caught in some rope . He was injured so badly that he cannot be returned to the wild , Fazio said .
A lack of eagle habitat and prey also threatens the species . Bald eagles feed heavily on fish , so they require clean , open water in which to hunt .
Disease outbreaks , such as avian influenza or bird flu , are another serious threat to the birds .
Native American symbolism
The birds are highly respected by several Native American cultures as symbols of strength , especially in the Pacific Northwest , says Paul Apodaca . He is a retired university professor who specializes in stories and storytelling from different cultures .
The position of eagles as symbols of the U .S . adds to their protection .
“Americans are always going to have that sort of personal relationship with bald eagles ," said Clark , the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection official .
Dan Day is a birder . He has seen bald eagles about 50 times in recent years both on nature walks and while driving around .
He said , “It really elevates your day to see a bald eagle ."
I’m Anna Matteo .
Mike Catalini reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English.
symbol -n. something that stands for something else, especially: something real that stands for or suggests another thing that cannot in itself be pictured or shown
seal -n. a device (as an emblem, symbol, or word) used to identify or replace a signature and to authenticate (as at common law) written matter
insignia -n. a badge of authority or honor
species -n. a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name
raptor -n. a carnivorous medium- to large-sized bird (such as a hawk, eagle, owl, or vulture) that has a hooked beak and large sharp talons and that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion
nest -n. a place or structure where eggs are laid and hatched or young are raised : nesting -adj.
pair -n. two things that match or are meant to be used together
habitat -n. the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows
prey -n. an animal hunted or killed by another animal for food
elevate -v. to improve the mind or spirits of
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