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[Paragraph Development]
[Outline]
[Summary]
[Essay Question] |
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Composition |
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The World of Bald
Eagle |
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Have you ever wondered about the bald eagles you see on
television channels? Do you know the symbols they
represent? Bald eagles are one of the most interesting
animals in our world. The graceful flight of the eagle
represents the spirit of freedom. The eagleˇ¦s strong
brow and piercing eyes suggest vigilance, intelligence,
and courage. Because of thee qualities, the bald eagle
was chosen to represent the Great Seal of the United
States. In order to fully
understand bald eagles in depth, we have to look at the
physical descriptions, their diet and feeding habits, as
well as some interesting facts about them. |
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A bald eagleˇ¦s physical description can be striking
since it is used to represent strength and courage.
Both male and female adult
bald eagles have a blackish-brown back and breast; a
white head, neck and tail; and yellow feet and bill.
The female bald eagle is
35 to 37 inches, slightly larger than the male, with a
wingspan which varies from 79 to 90 inches.
The male bald eagle has a body
length from 30 to 34 inches.
The wingspan ranges from 72
to 85 inches. An
eagleˇ¦s wings are long and broad making them effective
for soaring. Soaring is accomplished with very little
wing-flapping, enabling them to conserve energy.
An eagleˇ¦s tail is very
important for flight and maneuvering.
While the bald eagle is soaring
or gliding in flight, the tail feathers are spread in
order to attain the largest surface area and increase
the effect of thermals to fly up and high.
Bald eagles have 7000
feathers. Eagle
feathers are lightweight yet extremely strong, hollow
highly flexible. They protect the chicks from the cold
as well as the heat of the sun by trapping layers of
air. A bald eagleˇ¦s
beak is a strong weapon,
but is also delicate
enough to groom a mateˇ¦s feathers or feed a small
portion of food to a newly hatched chick.
Talons are
important tools for hunting and defense.
Eagles kill their prey
by penetrating its flesh with their talons.
With all these physical
features, a bald eagle becomes a powerful animal in the
air. |
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The diet and feeding habits of bald eagles allow us
to understand where, what and how they eat.
Bald eagles fish in both fresh and salt water.
The hunting area or home range patrolled by a bald eagle
varies from 1700 to 1000 acres.
Even though bald eagles are fish eaters, they will take
whatever prey is available and easiest to obtain.
Bald eagles which live along the coast and on major
lakes and rivers feed mainly on fish. They do not
generally feed on chickens or other domestic livestock,
but they will make use of available food sources. Bald
eagles will take advantage of dead and decaying flesh.
Once an eagle spots a fish swimming or floating near the
surface of the water, it approaches its prey in a
shallow glide and snatches the fish out of the water
with a quick wipe of its talons.
The eagle holds its prey with one talon, return to its
perch with its mate, then tears off each bite with its
beak.
A bald eagleˇ¦s lifting power is about 4 ponds.
An eagle can consume one pound of fish in about four
minutes.
Understanding an eagleˇ¦s diet and feeding habit gives
clear ideas of an eagleˇ¦s behavior. |
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Interesting facts about bald eagles are sometimes
unexpected, yet itˇ¦s fun to
know them.
For example,
bald eagles are not really bald.
Bald come from the word ˇ§baldˇ¨, an Old English word
meaning white. Bald eagles were named for their white
feathers instead for a lack of feathers.
Another fact shows that bald eagles may use the same
nest year after year.
They add more twigs and branches to the old nest. One
nest was found to be more than 34 years old and weighs
over two tons.
Bald eagles fly about 20 to 40 mph in normal flights.
When diving the speed increases to well over 100 mph.
Bald eagles can actually swim.
They swim by using an overhead movement of the wings
that is similar to the butterfly stroke.
These interesting facts certainly complete our knowledge
on these birds. |
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Having looked at bald eaglesˇ¦ physical descriptions,
their diet and feeding habits, as well as some interest
facts about them, we should take into consideration on
how to protect them from becoming extinct. Bald eagles
are interesting animals, with features representing
strength and courage. We should protect not only them
but also the environment they live in before they
disappear from the world. (Solution to the danger) |
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