Bald Eagle

## Evolutionary History of the Bald Eagle The Bald Eagle (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) is a majestic bird of prey whose evolutionary lineage traces back to ancient avian ancestors. Birds, including eagles, evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Mesozoic Era. The genus *Haliaeetus* emerged in the Miocene epoch, shaped by environmental pressures such as climate changes, prey availability, and habitat shifts. Key evolutionary drivers included the development of powerful flight, keen vision, and adaptations for fishing and scavenging. ### Key Milestones: - **Jurassic Period (150 million years ago)**: Earliest bird-like ancestors, such as *Archaeopteryx*, evolve from feathered dinosaurs, enabling flight. - **Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary (66 million years ago)**: Mass extinction event wipes out non-avian dinosaurs, allowing avian diversification. - **Eocene Epoch (56-33 million years ago)**: Emergence of early raptors in the Accipitridae family, with adaptations for predation amid forested environments. - **Miocene Epoch (23-5 million years ago)**: Genus *Haliaeetus* appears, influenced by cooling climates and expanding waterways, leading to fishing specializations. - **Pleistocene Epoch (2.5 million-11,700 years ago)**: Modern Bald Eagle form evolves, adapting to North American habitats with pressures from glaciation and human expansion.