From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

Handsome and regal, bald eagles are one of the most recognizable birds in the world. While you might often see them flying over Fanshawe Lake, there are many things you may not know about them.

For instance, their name is derived from Old English meaning “white-headed”, rather than hairless. A mature adult is mainly brown with a white head, neck and tail. Both sexes have identical plumage, but females are about 25% larger. Juvenile birds do not obtain the distinctive adult feathers until they are four or five years old.

In the late 20th century, bald eagles were on the brink of extirpation due to hunting, habitat loss and pesticide ingestion. Measures, such as banning the use of DDT in the 1970s and other recovery efforts, slowed their decline. Populations recovered and their status was downgraded from “endangered” to “threatened” in 1995 and by 2007, they were removed entirely from the list.

Find out a whole lot more about this majestic bird in our Thames River Current newsletter.