BALD EAGLES



Minit Books for Lapbook

Research

Vocabulary
predator- an animal that lives by killing and eating other animals
prey- an animal hunted or killed by another animal for food
bird of prey- a meat-eating bird (as a hawk) that feeds partly or completely on the animals it hunts
talon- the claw of an animal
raptor- another word used to describe a bird of prey
bill- the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
eaglet- a baby eagle
migration-  to pass from one region or climate to another usually on a regular schedule
brooding- to care for young

other ideas for vocabulary words- carrion, incubation, fledgling, egg tooth, immatures, and sanctuaries

Our National Symbol Information
The Founding Fathers wanted to choose an animal that was unique to the United States. For six years, the members of Congress disagreed over what the national emblem should be.  Finally, in 1782, the bald eagle was chosen because it symbolized strength, courage, freedom, and immortality.

Nest Book Answers
Where do eagles build their nests? In tall trees or on high cliffs
What is the nest made of? sticks and branches
How many eggs do they lay? The female will lay 2 or 3 white eggs and incubation will last 30 to 45 days.
What is an eagle's nest called? aerie
Note:  Eagle's nests are HUGE!  They are typically 6 feet in diameter.   One of the largest eagle's nest ever found was 12 feet high and 8 1/2 feet across. 

Matchbook Answers
What does "eagle-eyed" mean? to have good vision and notice things quickly;  eagles have excellent vision-- they can see something as small as a mouse from a mile away!
Are bald eagles really bald? No!  The bald eagle is not really bald; it actually has white feathers on its head, neck, and tail. Bald is a derivation of balde, an Old English word meaning white. The eagle was named for its white feathers instead for a lack of feathers.
How long can an eagle live? Bald eagles can live 30-40 years in the wild and longer in captivity.
How fast can an eagle fly? The bald eagle can fly 20 to 40 mph in normal flight and can dive at speeds over 100 mph.
diet

Diet and Habitat
Habitat- The bald eagle can be found on lakes, rivers, marshes and seacoasts where it can find fish!
Diet- fish, rabbits, carcasses of other dead animals

Measuring Up Information
Bald Eagles are about 29 to 42 inches long, can weigh 7 to 15 pounds, and have a wing span of 6 to 8 feet.
 

Eagles in the Bible

There are many mentions of eagles in the Bible. Eagles are found all over the world, and there are several species in Palestine. Sometimes the word “eagle” in the Bible may refer to a Griffin-vulture, translated from the Hebrew word Nesher, meaning, “to tear with the beak”. Eagles catch and eat live food, and no more than two or three eagles ever flock together, so if you read of an ”eagle” eating carcasses or flying in large groups, it is most likely referring to the Griffin-vulture. 
 

Symbolic of God’s Fatherly Love -

The eagle was used at least twice in the Bible as an example of God’s fatherly love.

God , speaking to Moses in Exodus 19:4, said “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.”

In Deuteronomy 32:11 the Lord is compared to a mother eagle protecting her young. “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings;”

God protects Israel like an eagle teaching its young to fly, with watchful guidance. The phrase beareth them on her wings speaks of the eagle soaring over her young, using her powerful wings to protect the little ones from harm.

Symbolic of Rome -
In Deuteronomy 28:49, Moses talks of a nation from afar that was to judge Israel. “The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;” The nation that comes from afar is pictured as an eagle. The eagle was the symbol of Rome, and the nation from afar was the Roman Empire, where they spoke Latin.

Symbolic of Longevity –

In the book of Psalms David uses the eagle as a symbol for longevity. It is recorded that an eagle was kept in Vienna for 104 years.

Psalm 103:1-5 –

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

David blesses the holy name of God as he names his blessings. When we find joy and happiness in blessing the name of God, and recount all His benefits to us, our strength is renewed like the eagle’s to that of our youth. When our heart is satisfied with God, we have the power to soar over our daily problems.

Resources

Library List
Soaring with the Wind by Gail Gibbons

Helpful Links

Basic Information- http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/

Eagle Cam- http://www.briloon.org/watching-wildlife/eagle-cam.php

Listen to an Eagle- http://www.eagles.org/moreabout.html