Everything about them is big. They are one of nature’s largest raptors, with wings that can span eight feet, and nests that can weigh up to a ton. Unique to North America, the bald eagle is the continent’s most recognizable aerial predator, with a shocking white head, electric yellow beak and penetrating eyes. Yet most people know little about it beyond its striking appearance.
In the 1960s, the bald eagle was on the brink of extinction caused by the pesticide DDT and other human pressures. Following their protection as an endangered species, bald eagles have come roaring back. But even in the best of times, life in the wild for these birds is a surprisingly tough struggle.
From the pristine wilderness of Alaska to the Upper Mississippi River Valley, American Eagle goes behind the scenes and into the nest to provide the ultimate bird’s eye view into the private life of an American icon.
American Eagle premieres Sunday, November 16 at 8pm on PBS (check local listings).
To order a copy of American Eagle, please visit the NATURE Shop.
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please tell me in advance of several of your future nature programs I can see on my TV. I have basic tv and my server is cogeco. thanks gord nicholson
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please sign me up for future program on tv
Pls let me know of any future programs, articles, etc. on birds of prey. Tks, Gretchen Butler
this looks good-you might want to watch it too.
There is a DVM in Anchorage named Dr. James R. Scott who recently retired after spending many years of rehabilitating not only both species of Eagle but literally hundreds of others. He was recently recognized for his role in establishing the Bird Training and Learning Center and numerous returns to the wild of not only birds but many other species as well.
I have made him aware of this site of which I know he will have interest. Great Job!~
AWESOME, ONE OF MY FAVORITE BIRDS TO PHOTOGRAPH IS THE BALD EAGLE, THE GRACE, BEAUTY, AND WHAT THEY SYMBOLIZE TO ME AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE IS TRUELY BREATHLESS
I just watched American Eagle on PBS Nature. WOW! Should be “required” for all children. Will order a tape or two for grandkids.
It would be nice if our PBS station showed it so we could see it too!
As a long-time landowner in the Mississippi River driftless area, wildlife biologist, and GIS specialist, I find that the film “American Eagle” depicts an accurate account of what can happen when conservation efforts are made along one of the most endangered wildlife refuges, the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
With all of the uncontrolled development and logging degrading our passerine habitats along the Mississippi River flyway, it’s refreshing to know that one relative success story is accurately portrayed in this exceptional wildlife film.
This film provokes an understanding of bald eagles not only in its broadest terms, but also in the substance of its accuracy without disturbing this magnificant raptor.
M. Murphy
Wonderful – I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this Nature program! In ‘04 a friend emailed pics of a nesting Eagle pair in my hometown (W. Kentucky), seen for the first time in years… YES! Thank you.
I especially enjoyed this Nature program. I think it’s my favorite. I have loved American Bald Eagles all of my life. I am from the upper Mississippi valley in Iowa and Illinois and always look forward to the increased Eagle activity in Winter. Great job!
Awesome show! The photography was amazing. Beautifully put together. I loved the Eagles, but also enjoyed the other birds filmed, like the Coot.
I did not know Eagles play in the air.
when the hawks were frozen,i cried
What a wonderful DOCU I did not want it to end! I could have watched it for hours. When the underdog Eagle took off, I cheered
Program was GREAT! Really informative, and I ordered the DVD for my son,he collects and Loves Bald Eagles.
Thanks and God Bless
As an avid wildlife photographer and eagle watcher, I was a bit dismayed when your otherwise outstanding program retold the DDT issue without challenge or comment. There appears to be a significant amount of evidence indicating DDT truly had little effect on eagles, and that various groups promoted and exploited the DDT ban for political advantage. I was hoping that NATURE would explore this controversy in greater detail.
Since when is it an American Bald Eagle? It’s a Bald Eagle. Nice documentary but changing the bird’s name to suit your country was annoying.
My family and I watched this together and learned so much! I loved seeing the eagles in groups, we thought they were solitary birds. Thank you for such a wonderful, heartwarming story about this beautiful, awesome icon!
I loved the documentary on the AMERICAN BALD EAGLE! It was beautiful to see the male and female both taking turns to sit on the eggs and then to raise their young. Here in Louisiana we are seeing more and more eagle sightings closer to home. Today I saw three flying over my home and yesterday I saw five about 20 miles from here. We also have a yearly Eagle Expo in my area where experts come to talk about the eagle population and we go on boat tours to see the nests and eagles in their natural habitat. I was able to get some great shots of bald eagles in 2008. You can view them on my website: http://www.bayoubellephotography.com I am very pleased that the eagle population is progressively increasing each year locally.
Can’t wait to view your next documentary about the wolf named Lobo….
Awesome documentary, Awesome photography!
Any audio CD(s) available of Lenny Willams music from this show? Thanks, BOB R.
I loved this particular episode. I think the bald eagle is one of the most majestic birds. I actually work at a landfill and we are near marshlands where there is actually a nest. Many waterbirds in the area. Eagle has been seen flying over landfill numerous times. I’ve tried getting pics. Many people come out to hopefully get a glimpse of the eagle. I hope there will be more documentaries on the eagle.
Neil Rettig does it again.He captured the eagle as a the invincible symbol and told a story in the real life of survival. Thanks for a FANTASTIC experience !!
Your Program really Proves that The American Eagle has sored again,Thank you for airing it.
A well filmed program. Beautiful shots capturing these magnificant birds. However, the obvious blatant eco-terrorist bias rendered a disgusting “crock-umentary”. The narrative was interesting until it became an anti-hunter, anti-developer, anti-anti -rant, filled with half-truths and intentionally misleading statements unsupported by real science not the bull-pap put forth by pseudo-scientists. You and the film makers ruined, corrupted what could have been a jewel in the PBS crown transmogrifing it into still another anti-humankind load of old codswollop.
I thought that the America Eagle show was Great! I monitor bald eagle nests in northeast Florida for The Audubon Society. I really would like for a Americans to learn about our beautiful national symbol!
In case you missed the premiere on TV, you can now watch the full episode online: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/american-eagle/video-full-episode/4349/
Molly, it helps if you can read:
Unique to North America, the bald eagle is the continent’s most recognizable aerial predator, with a shocking white head, electric yellow beak, and penetrating eyes.
Amazing Program. Informative, Entertaining, Enlightening. A must see for all ages.
I loved watching this film! A link to a 01/24/2008 news release shows that 649 eagles were counted during the Ohio 2008 mid-winter eagle survey:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/Default.aspx?tabid=18276&EntryID=329
I never even saw a bald eagle in the 60’s & 70’s when I was a kid. I’m seeing them now though!
AWESOME film the bald eagles, I love so much the represent what this country stands for thank you so much I would love to order the tape,Send me the ph#
please the toll free # to order this owesome film;
Thank you PBS for another great Nature film. I love the American Bald Eagle and follow several “Nest Cams” seasonally. When will this film be on KVPTHD again? I watched the Video online but would love to see it in HD. Thank you again.
Audrey: Thanks, but I’m capable of reading. The biologist repeatedly called the bird an American Eagle during the show. The bird is called a Bald Eagle, not American, not North American, but simply Bald Eagle. I was surprised that a biologist didn’t get it right.
While I enjoyed the program and have viewed Bald Eagles on numerous occasions while fishing, I agree with Dave Dodson’s 11/17 comments and specifically to the comment about hunter’s lead bullets in deer… Please!
Thanks for this awesome program on eagles especially since you featured my Grandfather’s Minnesota farm along the Mississippi River. They are awesome birds!
wow.what are theese messages.there a lot why? does any body know? anyway,who cares thanks pbs for all the information. it is very useful.
Wow, what a show ! Is this available in Blu-Ray DVD ?
CNN.com “Disease threatens bald eagle population
BioOne Veterinary sciences Dec 2008 volume 52 issue 4
Avian diseases Mycobacteriosis in an american Bald Eagle
Zoo Wild Med. 1999 sept;30(3):439-42 Thyroid Adenocarcinoma in a bald eagle. YOUR BIAS ON HUNTER CAUSED LEAD POISONING IN AMERICAN BALDS IS SILLy. Even the Great Bald Eagle is cursed with dieases.
Please confirm the following. Eagles in the wild at age 40 decide to either live or die. The decision to live is followed by a supposed transformation that takes about 5 months in which the eagle rips off its beak- waits for it to regrow. Then with the new beak rips off its talons- waits for these to regrow. Then when these grow in – rips off all of its feathers. Once these grow in – the transformation is complete and the eagle lives another 30 years. I can’t believe this. But I need an expert to confirm that this is not true.
[...] have explored their “very UDL” companion website ? We have chosen their website on eagles as a model for how to engage learners, but we urge you to explore any of the Nature series [...]
the program mentioned that the nestcam was still active and viewable online – could you please provide the link please – thank you
This was the 2nd edit for this piece. The producer felt the first cut was too artsy. I think I would like to see that too. While the name “American Bald Eagle” isn’t accurate it is very much accepted, as sub species or geographic variations within the species do occur (i.e. Canadian Bald Eagle). Believe me that I am one of the first to pooh-pooh the “bad human” perspective It IS an unfortunate fact that as scavangers eagles do ingest lead and do in fact die from it. Nearly EVERY California Condor has been taken into captivity and treated for lead poisoning at some point. Sorry to offend, but this is fact.
To view the nest cam for the eagles and other raptors, go to http://www.raptorresource.org and click on “nest viewer/bird cams”
THAT WAS AWESOMEE