The Bald Eagle
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Subscribe to the Simple Schooling Interactive Classroom Here
2
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Eagles An eagle is a large bird of prey that belongs to a family of birds commonly called raptors. Raptors have excellent eye-sight, long sharp talons (claws), sharp curved beaks, and a long wing span. They hunt fish and small mammals, over land and over sea. The female raptors are typically larger than the males, a characteristic that is not very common. The raptor family includes other familiar large birds such as: Hawks Buzzards Vultures Falcons And in addition to those, there are some more bizarre birds in the raptor family such as the secretary bird (left) that spends most of its time on the ground.
3
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
It is almost impossible not to love the sight of an eagle. They soar above the trees as true symbols of freedom and they are, of course, part of what it means to be an American. Eagles can be found all over the world but North American only has two – the bald eagle and the golden eagle. In this unit study you will travel the world and learn about the habits of eagles such as how they live, what they hunt and eat, and where they can be found. We will cover all continents where eagles live, starting with North America. The Bald Eagle Below: the habitat of the bald eagle.
4
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782, when it was placed with outspread wings on the Great Seal of our country. It appears in many government institutions and on official documents, making it the most pictured bird in all of America. The eagle appears on the president’s flag, the mace of the House of Representatives, military insignia, and billions of one-dollar bills. The bald eagle first appeared as an American symbol on a Massachusetts copper cent coined in 1776. Since then it has appeared on the reverse side of many U.S. coins, notably the silver dollar, half-dollar and quarter, as well as the gold coins which were christened the eagle, half eagle, quarter eagle, and double eagle. For six years, the members of Congress held a bitter dispute over what the national emblem should be. It wasn’t until 1789 that the bald eagle was finally chosen to represent the new nation.
5
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Some eagles have become notable in American history. “Old Abe,” (left) the mascot of a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War, was a constant target of enemy riflemen, but survived 42 battle engagements relatively unscathed. Today, the American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. Although once plentiful throughout the continental United States, the bald eagle population had greatly declined in recent times. Farmers and fishermen have killed many eagles for getting too close to their poultry or fishing nets; game keepers have captured them for falconry; and pesticides have killed many eagles. Most of the bald eagle population can now be found in northern regions of North America and Florida breeding sanctuaries.
6
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
In 1940 the bald eagle was protected by law and in the 1970’s these laws were made harsher. Since that time the number of bald eagles has risen and they were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Bald eagles can live up to 30 years or more, even in captivity. They prefer to nest near water because their diet is mainly made up of fish. They grow to be about 2 ½ - 3 ½ feet in length and have a wingspan of about 6 to 8 feet wide.
7
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The Golden Eagle Below: the habitat of the golden eagle
The golden eagle, the largest eagle in North America, spans across much of the northern hemisphere. The light green area on the map is breeding, blue is where they prefer to winter, and dark green is the preferred habitat in all other times. Their diet is made up mostly of hares, rabbits, prairie dogs, and marmots (in high elevations). They also eat other birds such as jays, swans, ptarmigan, and grouse. The North American golden eagle can weigh up to 20 pounds, grow to a length of 3 ½ feet, and have a wingspan of about 6-8 feet. Most European golden eagles are somewhat smaller.
8
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Golden Eagles have very good eyesight and can spot prey from a long distance. They use their talons for killing and carrying the prey, and their beak is used only for eating. They have been known to hunt in pairs with one bird chasing the prey towards another waiting to kill.
Golden Eagles can be trained for falconry and this is still common in many parts of western Asia, especially western Mongolia and China. They are used to hunt foxes and Wolves by nomadic peoples. Foxes are killed outright by the eagles, but due to their size and strength wolves are usually held down while the falconer himself finishes the kill.
9
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The golden eagle is the national bird of four nations, Germany and Austria in continuation of the Holy Roman Empire, and Mexico and Kazakhstan. This is the most of any other species. The eagle is very much connected to the Saladin Golden Eagle, currently used as the coat of arms of Egypt, Iraq, and Palestine. To use the bird as a symbol for a nation or an army is called heraldry. In many parts of Europe the golden eagle’s number have declined over the years. In North America they are still thriving, but there is always a problem of habitat destruction.
10
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The Wedge Tailed Eagle The wedge tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey in Australia and is common in parts of the Southern hemisphere. It lives all over Australia, even in Tasmania and New Guinea. It prefers the open country in Southern and Eastern Australia where food is easier to see than in thickly wooded areas. These eagles weight between 7 and 9 lbs, grow to a length of about 3 to 4 feet, and have a wing span of about 7 to 8 feet. The wedge tailed eagle can, and often does, fly to heights that are about 6000 feet or higher. It requires very little wing beating, and mainly relies on soaring. They eat rabbits and hares because they are plentiful, but have also been known to seize small kangaroo and calves when they hunt in teams. They will also eat carrion, or “road-kill”, and can be found on the sides of the road with a meal. 11
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Greater Spotted Eagle The greater spotted eagle ranges over much of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
They are a medium sized eagle, about 2 feet in length with a wingspan of about 5 feet. They get their name from the spots that appear on the juvenile (teenagers) plumage, but by the time they reach maturity they are a dark brown color with lighter flight feathers.
They prefer wooded lands over open lands and feed on small mammals, water birds, frogs and snakes. They prefer to hunt over swamps and wet meadows.
12
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Crested Serpent Eagle The crested serpent eagle is a medium sized eagle that can be found in Southeast Asia, China, and Indonesia. It is about 2 to 3 feet in length and has a wingspan of about 5 feet. It has unusual markings (spots with a crest) that make it easy to spot. It likes to hunt over woods to find snakes and other reptiles which make up the main part of their diet. The crested serpent eagle will only lay one egg at a time and prefers to nest in the treetops near fresh water. It takes about 35 days for the egg to hatch and then both parents will be responsible for the care of the young. By the time the baby is 21 days old it is already growing feathers. When they are 2 months old they will take their first flight out of the nest built of sticks.
13
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Harpy Eagle WOW – this guy is no one to mess with! The largest eagle in the Americas, the harpy eagle likes to hunt in the upper canopy in the Brazilian rainforest of South America. They are remarkable fliers and will chase prey though the treetops before attacking.
Picture www.birdphotos.com
Their coloring is an unusual slate grey and black and they prefer to eat monkeys, sloths, and other tree dwelling mammals. The harpy eagle may even attack large parrots such as macaws. The harpy eagle is very powerful and the talons can be the same size as a grizzly bear’s claws! They can also life and carry up to 2/3 their body weight. They will 14
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
weigh between 10 and 20 lbs, with the females, like all birds of pretty, larger than the males. They are about 3 to 3 ½ feet in length with a wingspan of about 6 to 61/2 feet. These eagles build huge nests of sticks and branches in the tallest trees of the rainforest where they will lay 2 eggs. It takes about 53 days for the first egg to hatch and then the second egg is ignored and left to die. The surviving chick will not take flight for at least 4-6 months and it will stay under the protection of its parents for about 1 year. The Harpy Eagle is the national bird of Panama and is depicted on the Panama coat of arms.
Do the activities on the next several pages to complete your unit study on eagles. 15
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Worksheet One Bald Eagle Fact Sheet Use this website to fill in the following information: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/Facts/FactSheets/factbaldeagle.cfm
Color the habitat of the bald eagle red on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Life Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
16
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Worksheet Two Harpy Eagle Fact Sheet Use this website to fill in the following information:
http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/eagles/harpyeag.html
Color the habitat of the harpy eagle green on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Wing Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 17
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Worksheet Three The Wedge Tailed Eagle Fact Sheet Use this website to fill in the following information: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=67
Color the habitat of the Wedge Tailed Eagle orange on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Wing Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 18
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Bonus Worksheet Secretary Bird Fact Sheet (it is so bizarre – we just had to!) Use this website to fill in the following information: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-secretary_bird.html
Color the habitat of the secretary bird purple on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Wing Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 19
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
20
By J. Anne Huss
Subscribe to the Simple Schooling Interactive Classroom Here
2
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Eagles An eagle is a large bird of prey that belongs to a family of birds commonly called raptors. Raptors have excellent eye-sight, long sharp talons (claws), sharp curved beaks, and a long wing span. They hunt fish and small mammals, over land and over sea. The female raptors are typically larger than the males, a characteristic that is not very common. The raptor family includes other familiar large birds such as: Hawks Buzzards Vultures Falcons And in addition to those, there are some more bizarre birds in the raptor family such as the secretary bird (left) that spends most of its time on the ground.
3
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
It is almost impossible not to love the sight of an eagle. They soar above the trees as true symbols of freedom and they are, of course, part of what it means to be an American. Eagles can be found all over the world but North American only has two – the bald eagle and the golden eagle. In this unit study you will travel the world and learn about the habits of eagles such as how they live, what they hunt and eat, and where they can be found. We will cover all continents where eagles live, starting with North America. The Bald Eagle Below: the habitat of the bald eagle.
4
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782, when it was placed with outspread wings on the Great Seal of our country. It appears in many government institutions and on official documents, making it the most pictured bird in all of America. The eagle appears on the president’s flag, the mace of the House of Representatives, military insignia, and billions of one-dollar bills. The bald eagle first appeared as an American symbol on a Massachusetts copper cent coined in 1776. Since then it has appeared on the reverse side of many U.S. coins, notably the silver dollar, half-dollar and quarter, as well as the gold coins which were christened the eagle, half eagle, quarter eagle, and double eagle. For six years, the members of Congress held a bitter dispute over what the national emblem should be. It wasn’t until 1789 that the bald eagle was finally chosen to represent the new nation.
5
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Some eagles have become notable in American history. “Old Abe,” (left) the mascot of a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War, was a constant target of enemy riflemen, but survived 42 battle engagements relatively unscathed. Today, the American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. Although once plentiful throughout the continental United States, the bald eagle population had greatly declined in recent times. Farmers and fishermen have killed many eagles for getting too close to their poultry or fishing nets; game keepers have captured them for falconry; and pesticides have killed many eagles. Most of the bald eagle population can now be found in northern regions of North America and Florida breeding sanctuaries.
6
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
In 1940 the bald eagle was protected by law and in the 1970’s these laws were made harsher. Since that time the number of bald eagles has risen and they were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Bald eagles can live up to 30 years or more, even in captivity. They prefer to nest near water because their diet is mainly made up of fish. They grow to be about 2 ½ - 3 ½ feet in length and have a wingspan of about 6 to 8 feet wide.
7
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The Golden Eagle Below: the habitat of the golden eagle
The golden eagle, the largest eagle in North America, spans across much of the northern hemisphere. The light green area on the map is breeding, blue is where they prefer to winter, and dark green is the preferred habitat in all other times. Their diet is made up mostly of hares, rabbits, prairie dogs, and marmots (in high elevations). They also eat other birds such as jays, swans, ptarmigan, and grouse. The North American golden eagle can weigh up to 20 pounds, grow to a length of 3 ½ feet, and have a wingspan of about 6-8 feet. Most European golden eagles are somewhat smaller.
8
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Golden Eagles have very good eyesight and can spot prey from a long distance. They use their talons for killing and carrying the prey, and their beak is used only for eating. They have been known to hunt in pairs with one bird chasing the prey towards another waiting to kill.
Golden Eagles can be trained for falconry and this is still common in many parts of western Asia, especially western Mongolia and China. They are used to hunt foxes and Wolves by nomadic peoples. Foxes are killed outright by the eagles, but due to their size and strength wolves are usually held down while the falconer himself finishes the kill.
9
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The golden eagle is the national bird of four nations, Germany and Austria in continuation of the Holy Roman Empire, and Mexico and Kazakhstan. This is the most of any other species. The eagle is very much connected to the Saladin Golden Eagle, currently used as the coat of arms of Egypt, Iraq, and Palestine. To use the bird as a symbol for a nation or an army is called heraldry. In many parts of Europe the golden eagle’s number have declined over the years. In North America they are still thriving, but there is always a problem of habitat destruction.
10
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
The Wedge Tailed Eagle The wedge tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey in Australia and is common in parts of the Southern hemisphere. It lives all over Australia, even in Tasmania and New Guinea. It prefers the open country in Southern and Eastern Australia where food is easier to see than in thickly wooded areas. These eagles weight between 7 and 9 lbs, grow to a length of about 3 to 4 feet, and have a wing span of about 7 to 8 feet. The wedge tailed eagle can, and often does, fly to heights that are about 6000 feet or higher. It requires very little wing beating, and mainly relies on soaring. They eat rabbits and hares because they are plentiful, but have also been known to seize small kangaroo and calves when they hunt in teams. They will also eat carrion, or “road-kill”, and can be found on the sides of the road with a meal. 11
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Greater Spotted Eagle The greater spotted eagle ranges over much of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
They are a medium sized eagle, about 2 feet in length with a wingspan of about 5 feet. They get their name from the spots that appear on the juvenile (teenagers) plumage, but by the time they reach maturity they are a dark brown color with lighter flight feathers.
They prefer wooded lands over open lands and feed on small mammals, water birds, frogs and snakes. They prefer to hunt over swamps and wet meadows.
12
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Crested Serpent Eagle The crested serpent eagle is a medium sized eagle that can be found in Southeast Asia, China, and Indonesia. It is about 2 to 3 feet in length and has a wingspan of about 5 feet. It has unusual markings (spots with a crest) that make it easy to spot. It likes to hunt over woods to find snakes and other reptiles which make up the main part of their diet. The crested serpent eagle will only lay one egg at a time and prefers to nest in the treetops near fresh water. It takes about 35 days for the egg to hatch and then both parents will be responsible for the care of the young. By the time the baby is 21 days old it is already growing feathers. When they are 2 months old they will take their first flight out of the nest built of sticks.
13
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Harpy Eagle WOW – this guy is no one to mess with! The largest eagle in the Americas, the harpy eagle likes to hunt in the upper canopy in the Brazilian rainforest of South America. They are remarkable fliers and will chase prey though the treetops before attacking.
Picture www.birdphotos.com
Their coloring is an unusual slate grey and black and they prefer to eat monkeys, sloths, and other tree dwelling mammals. The harpy eagle may even attack large parrots such as macaws. The harpy eagle is very powerful and the talons can be the same size as a grizzly bear’s claws! They can also life and carry up to 2/3 their body weight. They will 14
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
weigh between 10 and 20 lbs, with the females, like all birds of pretty, larger than the males. They are about 3 to 3 ½ feet in length with a wingspan of about 6 to 61/2 feet. These eagles build huge nests of sticks and branches in the tallest trees of the rainforest where they will lay 2 eggs. It takes about 53 days for the first egg to hatch and then the second egg is ignored and left to die. The surviving chick will not take flight for at least 4-6 months and it will stay under the protection of its parents for about 1 year. The Harpy Eagle is the national bird of Panama and is depicted on the Panama coat of arms.
Do the activities on the next several pages to complete your unit study on eagles. 15
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Worksheet One Bald Eagle Fact Sheet Use this website to fill in the following information: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/Facts/FactSheets/factbaldeagle.cfm
Color the habitat of the bald eagle red on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Life Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
16
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Worksheet Two Harpy Eagle Fact Sheet Use this website to fill in the following information:
http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/eagles/harpyeag.html
Color the habitat of the harpy eagle green on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Wing Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 17
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Worksheet Three The Wedge Tailed Eagle Fact Sheet Use this website to fill in the following information: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=67
Color the habitat of the Wedge Tailed Eagle orange on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Wing Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 18
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
Bonus Worksheet Secretary Bird Fact Sheet (it is so bizarre – we just had to!) Use this website to fill in the following information: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-secretary_bird.html
Color the habitat of the secretary bird purple on the world map
Scientific Name ________________________________ Wing Span _____________ Diet
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 19
By J. Anne Huss
©2010 The Simple Homeschool – Simple Days Unit Studies – Eagles
20
By J. Anne Huss
