Bald is Back: The Recovery of the Bald Eagle and Success of Bird Laws

By: Amy Walsh

Throughout the mid-1900s, bald eagles were on the brink of extinction. A combination of habitat destruction, illegal killing, and insecticide poison reduced the population of these magnificent birds to dangerously low numbers. Fortunately, through the enactment and implementation of a variety of environmental laws, bald eagles have made one of the most successful recoveries in this history of conservation.

          Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are the national symbol of the United States. They can be found in all states besides Hawaii, along with Canada and parts of Mexico. Bald eagles are typically found near water bodies, feeding on a variety of birds, amphibians, and small mammals. These large birds can weigh up to 14 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 8 feet, but are most easily recognized by the signature white feathers on their head.

          Bald eagle conservation efforts began in 1940, in response to a sharp decline in numbers due to overhunting and habitat loss, Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act. In 1962, the Act amended to incorporate golden eagles, becoming the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). This Act prevented the killing, selling or possession of bald eagles. However, dichloro-diphenyl-tricholoroethane (DDT), a synthetic insecticide, became widely used throughout the U.S., resulting in adverse environmental and toxicological impacts. As a result of DDT use, populations continued to decline as the chemicals impacted the strength of eggshells, resulting in significant nest failure. Prior to 1970, there were less than 450 known breeding pairs. 

          Sparked by the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of DDT, marking the first big step in the recovery of bald eagles in nearly thirty years. Shortly after, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed. The ESA aims to protect the species and associated ecosystems that are at the highest risk of becoming extinct. The bald eagle was listed as endangered throughout most of the lower 48 states. The efforts of all of these legal measures combined to provide resources for the recovery of the species. Without these protections, it would be unlikely for us to see bald eagles in our skies today.

          Through the efforts of government and State agencies, tribes, non-profits, environmental organizations, private landowners, and other partners, bald eagles have made an incredible recovery. Populations became stable enough that in 1995, bald eagles were downlisted to threatened, and completed delisted from the ESA in 2007. According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, populations are estimated around 316,000 individuals, including 71,000 nesting pairs. Bald eagles still remain protected under BGEPA, as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The MBTA, entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia, aims to ensure the sustainability of all protected migratory bird species by prohibiting take without authorization.

          These legal frameworks have also contributed to the recovery of several other species, such as the peregrine falcon. Facing similar threats as the bald eagle, peregrine falcons faced declines of as much as 90 percent by 1970. The primary contributor to the decline was DDT which poisoned these birds and damaged their eggs. Thankfully, though similar efforts of ESA and MBTA protections, peregrines are no longer endangered, and are thriving throughout the United States. This is another example of the success that conservation laws can have on the preservation of a species.

          The continued development of bird protections is just as important today as ever. A recent comprehensive assessment of bird populations indicate that we have lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. While legal protections can make a big difference, it is not enough to combat the widespread effects of human expansion and climate change. In addition to strengthening wildlife laws and policies, we must take steps individually to ensure that these birds will be around for years to come. Some examples include planting native species in your yard, buying shade-grown coffee, and getting outside to birdwatch. Next time you are outside, consider ways to help support your local birds. Thankfully, the bald eagle is now likely one of them.