The American Bald Eagle

The story of how the American Bald Eagle soared to its vaunted perch in American iconography, a symbol not only of patriotism but also of environmental activism and Native American traditions.

An American Bald Eagle's nest, also known as an eyrie, is an awe-inspiring structure that reflects the grandeur and strength of these majestic birds. Typically located in tall trees near bodies of water, the nest is an expansive platform constructed with meticulous care and precision. In this clip, David Rubenstein is show a Bald Eagle's nest that is estimated to weigh around 1000 pounds.

The greatest bald eagle congregation on Earth happens in southeastern Alaska in the village of Haines just before the fierce Alaskan winter. Lying on a remote peninsula, nestled between the Chilkat and Chilkoot rivers, each November the village becomes home to the largest bald eagle migration in the world.

Eva Diaz, associate professor of art history at Pratt University, explains the cultural and allegorical significance of the Founding Fathers' decision to use the bald eagle as the prominent symbol in the Great Seal of the United States.

David Rubenstein talks to Peter Nye, an esteemed eagle biologist, retired from the Department of Environmental Conservation in New York. Nye gained national recognition for his expertise in eagle research, and he developed a technique called hacking which played a pivotal role in reviving the bald eagle population following a drastic decline caused by the pesticide DDT.

The effect of DDT, a pesticide widely used in the mid-20th century, on the Bald Eagle population in the northeastern United States was devastating. When eagles consumed prey contaminated with DDT, the pesticide accumulated in their bodies over time. As a result, the eagles experienced thinning eggshells, making them more prone to breakage during incubation.