ENDEAVOR

Species: Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Bald Eagle   •   Hatch Year: 2022     •   Sex: Male   •   Disability: Human Imprint

Endeavor’s journey began in Arkansas, where he was found as a young eaglet after his nest fell into a lake. Thankfully, local fishermen spotted him and got him the help he needed. He was taken to a local veterinarian who found he had aspirated in his lungs from being in the water. Endeavor required extensive medical care to recover and while that care saved his life, it also led to a lasting bond with humans. Because he was treated at such a young age, Endeavor became human-imprinted, meaning he now associates people with food, safety, and companionship. For his safety and the safety of others, Endeavor is non-releasable meaning he would likely not survive in the wild and would could possibly seek out people for food or attention.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Bald Eagles were placed at the center of the Great Seal of the United States in 1782! Since then, they have served as the pride of America’s skies and the symbol of all that America stands for.

Bald Eagles obviously aren’t bald! “Bald” in this sense refers to an Middle English word that means “white headed.” When eagles fledge the nest at between 10 and 13 weeks of age, they are primarily all brown. An Eagle gets its full white head and tail feathers and yellow beak and eyes at around four to five years of age.

Bald Eagles typically mate for life. Usually, they will only look for a new mate if their faithful companion dies, but sometimes a new mate is chosen in a territorial fight over a nest.

In building a nest, Bald Eagles will choose a ‘super-canopy’ tree—one rising above the rest— near to water, with sturdy limbs and a commanding view of the surrounding terrain. Typical nest heights are 50-125 feet high. They make use of twigs, grasses, soft mosses and feathers in making their nests and normally return to the same nest each year during breeding season and add new materials to it. A new eagle pair’s nest usually measures about five feet in width and two feet in depth. As they add to it year after year, however, it can reach widths of over ten feet and weigh up to a ton or more. On the Channel Islands, where large trees are very scarce, Bald Eagles have built their nests on cliffs; and, in some coastal areas of Alaska and Canada where there are few tall trees, Bald Eagles will nest on the ground, using whatever materials are available.