National Aviary in Pittsburgh is an excellent place to observe birds in their habitat. It belongs to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Their conservation efforts in protecting our fine feather friends is outstanding. There is over 600 birds from around the world representing 200 species at the Aviary. The one bird that I particular love to observe in the wild and is at the National Aviary is the Bald Eagle.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey belonging to the order Falconiformes. The female is slightly larger than the male. Both have a wingspan of 6-8 feet. Their range is now thinly populated with breeding areas restricted to Florida, the Aleutian islands in the Bering sea, Alaska, northern and eastern Canada, and the northern United States. We have some bald eagles living in the wild in Pennslyvania. The bald eagle is an endangered species that is now fully protected in the United States.The interesting thing about the bald eagle is it head. From a distance the bald eagle's white head appears to be featherless; hence its name.The bald eagle was adopted as the national emblem of the United States in 1782. It appears on the back of the dollar bill and on some coins. The bald eagle is the country's most famous bird that is on the brink of extinction because of the harmful effects of pollutants and pesticides. These poisons from contaminated prey builds up in the bird's body and cause sterility. This has caused a decline in their population along with their slow maturity rate.
Man is responsible for the declining population of the bald eagle. The better we comprehend the amazing complexity and purposive design of these and other birds, the better we realize the infinite wisdom and power of their Creator. God has placed them all under our dominion, and we need to learn to see them through His eyes, if we would be good stewards of the world He has committed to us.
I thank the National Aviary in Pittsburgh for their continuing effort in the conservation of this bird and other birds under their care.
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