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. In the 1960s, this symbol of the United States became an emblem of environmental degradation as the pesticide DDT and other human pressures brought it to the brink of extinction. But following their protection as an endangered species, bald eagles have come roaring back. Photographed by three-time Emmy-winning cinematographer Neil Rettig, this first-ever HD hour on bald eagles is an intimate portrait of these majestic raptors’ lives in the wild.
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This program premiered November 16, 2008.
(44 votes)
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Absolutely brought a couple of tears of sadness, joy and pride to my eyes. Thank you PBS, this was the best video ever!
Mari, I thought that this might be great for your kids
Wonderful! Beautiful movie! Thank you. That eagle covered with snow waiting for a break was great. Turn pages of my Eagle Fables picture book at homepage.mac.com/dojoro/PhotoAlbum1411.html
Fantastic job!! An inspiration when we need it.
The photography in this program was just great!
I learned a great deal about the America Eagle
omg..so touching i loved it!! =]
beautiful documentary. i love the bald eagle. very inspirational.
My husband is visually impaired and this brought the bald eagle that I photograph in the wild, up close for him to see this beautiful raptor in it’s natural habitat. So much not known about the eagle was fun to learn.
Very well and beautifully taken. My 5yrs old son loved it so much that he said he wants to breed them. I am looking to buy one for his Christmas present.
wonderful! it is such a great feeling to watch this documentary. real good job.
Will this be shown again in the Dallas area? I missed it and I know from friends it was a great film.
such an inspirering movie
A couple years ago I became addicted to the bald eagle “critter cam” during the breeding season in Maine. It was live drama unfolding in real time, but critter cams are silent. As I watched this episode of Nature, it brought flashbacks of that spring when I was riveted to the scenes on my computer monitor, but this time, American Eagle added a soundtrack to the visual memories. I shall again search for a bald eagle critter cam online in the 2009 breeding season, inspired by this episode.
This is a wonderfully balanced tribute to a magnificent bird. As with almost all of the PBS Nature programs, I fear that the people who need to see them most, do not. Those who destroy wildlife habitat are too busy finding loopholes in our conservation laws to create a kinship connection to these incredible animals.
Yes, I love to look at all the birds of prey. Especially their fight to survive no matter what it cost.
This was most inspirational. It is a beautifuly produced and informative program. The photography is spectacular. I wish my grandson was old enough to appreciate it.
Mr. Lake, you’re words are so true. Still the Eagle is making an amazing comeback all across the country. The population is growing quickly as the effects from DDT use are finally purged from the biomass. Share these programs with all you know. They can be watched online at any time.
As usual, I wish I could be more proactive. The only thing missing from the menu each episode is information on how to contribute to the conservation efforts for the animals showcased in your wonderful episodes.
It was extraordinary – I recorded on my DVR and have watched it 3 times. I would love to buy it for a friend, if possible. Is it available?
I was so touched…… It was fantastic.. and made me appreciated.
What we parents endure for the love of our little ones…it seems to just come natural for eagles!
good show thanksss!!!!
WE cannot underestimate how important this form of programming is to all humans who want to share this life with nature, and see it abound all around us. Without a complete understanding of the natural world and it fragility we are doomed to failure, and we have not fulfilled our obligation to be equals among all living things. This film brought a tear to my eye, as noted by another commentator. GREAT WORK.
This and all of your programs are wonderful.I love sharing with adults as well as my students,the lessons taught my watching your Episode of the American Bald Eagle.Awesome I love animals especially birds!
How i love watching animal behaviour. this one is superb.Glory be to the Intelligent Design who made the bald eagle.
THIS WAS A GREAT SHOW.LIFE HAS IT OWN WAY OF WORKING THINGS OUT.
very good very detailed very sad in places but injoyed wathing it
ilts Meaning i love this show……..lol Ha i like eagles they are fun to watch but who would but who would buy one for their son i mean come on.
i didnt like it
Best eagle documentary I ever seen. Thank you PBS. I loved the eagles skating on the ice, too kool. :)
good eagle video. i would like to watch the new philippine eagle video. thank you for your time http://www.pbs.org
This was the best eagle video ever! I cried when I saw the eagle buried in snow.
I went to college in La Crosse and the piece reminded me of the mellow, but fantastic world of scenic and nature that is the Northern Mississippi River Valley. It is a harmony that seems to reset me from time to time.
I believe I watched the above video and loved it. Was wondering if I might be able to purchase a copy. I saw 2 Eagles while camping at the Mongaup Pond State Park in NY State 6/22/09 – 06/26/09 and it is such a powerful site to see, it reminded me of your video. Is it possible to purchse it?
Such a beautiful tribute to our National symbol! Thank you for this.
Good to see the documentary in full – online :)
These are so cool!@!!!!!!
Great story! I think it was soo sad when the female died and the male left the nest! I felt bad for the egg as well, it would have been a great bald eagle! I also found super interesting that theres so many in Alaska. I learned so much of what they eat, how the live, and how they take care of their nest.
That was a good video! It brought tears to my eyes! =]
it was very interesting
people started to cry