Great job! You know your bald eagles well!
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was named the national symbol of the United States by Congress in 1782. This majestic bird has come to represent strength, bravery, and freedom since its designation. However, America’s mascot came dangerously close to extinction during the 1900s when their numbers declined dramatically due to habitat loss, shooting, and DDT pesticide contamination.
Thankfully, the US Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bald eagle as an endangered species in 1967. Habitat protection, restrictions on killing, and restrictions on pesticide use led to population growth and delisting of the species in 2007. Today, Jackson Hole is one of the best places to see bald eagles, and their populations remain strong in the region.