Created by:  L.  Swain

URL: http://www.can-do.com/uci/lessons98/Eagle.html

Lesson Objective:
Students will research selected internet links to provide information about the characteristics and behavior of the bald eagle.

Introduction:
This is a lesson designed to help you learn about a specific bird of prey, the bald eagle.

Internet/Lesson  Procedure:

1. Click on the internet links and search.

2. Answer the questions listed on the worksheet.

3. List any other interesting comments you have found about the bald eagle.

Lesson

1. What are the scientific classifications for the bald eagle?  Click on the links below to find the answers.

   The Bald Eagle - Scientific Classification -University of Alberta
   Eagle - Facts- Worldkids
   Bald Eagle - Florida State U.

Example -   Kingdom = Animalia
                    Phylum   = Chordata
                    Class      = _____________________
                    Order     = _____________________
                    Family    = _____________________
                    Genus    = _____________________
                   Species  = _____________________
 

2. Which classification indicates a bird of prey?______________________________

3. List four characteristics of a bird of prey.  Use the resources on this page or search for other resources.

   a._________________________________
   b._________________________________
   c._________________________________
   d._________________________________
 
 

4. Describe the habitat of the bald eagle.
 

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. How does the habitat provide the food the eagle needs to survive?

_________________________________________________________________________________

6. What foods are commonly eaten by eagles?

_________________________________________________________________________________

7. What is carrion?
 

_________________________________________________________________________________

8. What are the physical characteristics of the adult eagle?
    Bald Eagle -EagleKids.com
    The Bald Eagle - World Kids
    Bald Eagle -Florida State U.
 

      a. color of body =_________________________________

      b. color of head and tail = _________________________

      c. color of beak = ________________________________

      d. shape of beak = _______________________________

      e. height of bird = ________________________________

      f. wingspan from tip to tip= ________________________

      g. male weight =__________  female weight = ___________
 
 
 

   Additional characteristics:
   Bald Eagle Facts -University of Alberta
   Eaglekids.com - Facts

     h. flight speed = _________________________________

     i. diving speed = ________________________________

     j. behavior in water =_____________________________
 

9. Why are bald eagles called bald?_____________________________________________
 

__________________________________________________________________________

10. Nesting Habits
   The Bald Eagle -World Kids
   Bald Eagle -Florida State U.
   Eaglekids.com - Facts

    a. Where do eagles build their nests?_____________________________________________________

    b. What is the average size and weight of the nest?__________________________________________

    c. An eagle nest is called a(n)  _____________________________

    d. The nest is made of ___________________________________________________

    e. How long would a pair of eagles continue to use the same nest? ______________________________
 

11. Life cycle of the bald eagle

   Bald Eagle-Florida State U.
   The Bald Eagle -World Kids
   Eagle Facts- University of Alberta

    a. The number of eggs per clutch is ______________________

    b. The incubation period of the eggs is ___________________

    c. The dependency period of time for the baby eagles is___________________

    d. The sexual maturity of the bald eagle occurs at age ___________________

    e. The life expectancy of the bald eagle is ____________________
 

12. Ecology and Conservation

       Bald Eagle-Florida State U.
       The Bald Eagle -World Kids

    a. How do eagles help the environment?_________________________________________

    ___________________________________________________________________________
 

     b. What are some of the dangers  that bald eagles encounter? _______________________

        ___________________________________________________________________________
 

    c. What  protections are necessary to promote the survival of the bald eagle?_____________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

13. Why have many nations chosen the bald eagle as the national symbol throughout history?

     __________________________________________________________________________________

    ___________________________________________________________________________________
 

14. List any other interesting facts you may have found.

    a. ____________________________________________________________________________________

    b. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Evaluation:
Students will take a short quiz covering  the main concepts.
Teacher will have to create the quiz, or students could generate their own quiz questions.
 

Extension:
Fun Eagle Quiz for Review
 
 

A Few Internet Resources:
Awesome Science Library
Martindale's Reference Desk
Potter's Science Gems
Sheppard's Science Resources
Sheppard's Useful Links

Any problems or comments please E-mail  webmaster@can-do.com
 

Email: bee2busy@hotmail.com (L. Swain)