Wildlife in National Symbols

January is the perfect time to observe bald eagles in Iowa! A great number of bald eagles overwinter in Iowa and can be observed along rivers and streams. Years ago it was unusual to see bald eagles in Iowa at all but today we enjoy their presence year-round as many have made Iowa their permanent home and breed within our borders. On August 8, 2007, the bald eagle was officially removed from the federal threatened and endangered species list under the Endangered Species Act. The bald eagle has a rocky history in the United States and has made a tremendous recovery in recent years.

A wonderful social studies tie in with viewing these majestic birds is the Project WILD activity “Wildlife in National Symbols.” This activity takes a look at the diversity of countries and cultures that include wildlife in their symbols. An interesting extension to this activity is to look at the symbols of other states, and Iowa schools. Are the symbols animals? Are these animals native to the respective state or school? Research more about the history of these symbols.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Dell, P. 2004. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.
Douglas, L.G. 2003. The Bald Eagle. Children's Press.
Gibbons, G. 1998. Soaring with the Wind: The Bald Eagle. HarperCollins.
Gieck, C. 1991. Eagles for Kids. Northword Pr.
Keenan, S. 2004. O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, And Important Words. Scholastic, Inc.
Kule, E.A. 2003. Iowa Facts and Symbols. Capstone Press.
Sis, P. 2004. The Train of States. HarperCollins Publishers.
Sorensen, L. 1994. The American Eagle. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Yanuck, D.L. 2003. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.

Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 1996. Bald Eagle: Free Again! Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bair, D. 1999. Eagle Watching. Capstone Press.
Colman. C. H. 2006. Bald Eagle's View of American History. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Evert, L. 2001. Eagles. T&N Children's Publishing.
Hodge, D. 2000. Eagles. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Johnson, L.C. 1992. Our National Symbols. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, S.A. 1995. Raptor Rescue!: An Eagle Flies Free. Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated.
Laubach, C.M. 2002. Raptor!: A Kid's Guide to Birds of Prey. Storey Books.
Morrison, G. 1998. Bald Eagle. Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books.
Patent, D.H. 1995. Eagles of America. Holiday House, Inc.
Patent, D.H. 1984. Where the Bald Eagles Gather. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Potts, S. 2006. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.
Price, A. 2002. Raptors: The Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Owls of North America. Rinehart P.
Priebe, M. 2000. Bald Eagle: Endangered No More. Mindfull Publishing.
Quiri, P.R. 1998. Bald Eagle. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Raven, T.M. 2005. Challenger: America's Favorite Eagle. Sleeping Bear Press.
Ryden, H. 1985. America's Bald Eagle. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Stone, L.M. 2004. Bald Eagle. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Thames, S. 2006. Our American Symbols. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Wechsler, D. 2003. Bald Eagles. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Wilson, J. 1998. American Eagle: The Symbol of America. Child's World, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Defries, C.L. 2003. Bald Eagle. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Dudley, K. 1999. Bald Eagles. Steck-Vaughn.
Marcovitz, H. 2002. Bald Eagle. Mason Crest Publishers.
Munoz, W. 2000. The Bald Eagle Returns. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Parry-Jones, E. 2000. Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey. DK Publishing, Inc.
Patent, D.H. 2000. The Bald Eagle Returns. Clarion Books.

Grades 9-12
Breining, G. 1994. Return of the Eagle: How America Saved Its National Symbol. Falcon.

Links
Polk County Conservation Board: Eagle Recovery in Iowa
http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/education/nature-podcasts/bald-eagle-recovery-in-iowa/

National Geographic Kids: Creature Features - Bald Eagle
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/baldeagle/

Decorah Bald Eagles Web Cam
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Iowa State Symbols
http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Iowa/StateSymbolsIowa.html

Eagle Viewing
Iowa DNR Eagle Watch Events
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/IowasWildlife/BaldEagles/EagleWatchEvents.aspx

Koekuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau
http://www.keokukiowatourism.org/eagledays.htm

Middle Mississippi River Valley Area Bald Eagle Events & Programs Winter 2012
http://www.greatriverroad.com/eagles/eagleevents.htm

Dubuque Audubon Society Bald Eagle Watch
http://www.audubondubuque.org/baldeagle.html