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Neil Rettig, cinematographer of "Nature: American Eagle" and bald eagle.
© Laura Johnson
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Female bald eagle eating chum salmon
© Laura Johnson
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Bald eagles
James Donald © EBC
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Anami, an American bald eagle, at the PBS panel for "Nature: American Eagle" at the TCA Summer 2008 Press Tour on July 13, 2008, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Jake Landis/PBS
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Trevor Jahangard, Los Angeles Zoo, with Anami, an American bald eagle, on the PBS panel for "Nature: American Eagle" at the TCA Summer 2008 Press Tour on July 13, 2008, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Jake Landis/PBS
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Trevor Jahangard, Los Angeles Zoo, with Anami, an American bald eagle, on the PBS panel for "Nature: American Eagle" at the TCA Summer 2008 Press Tour on July 13, 2008, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Jake Landis/PBS
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Bald eagle
James Donald, ©EBC
Interactive Map: Bald Eagle Populations Over the Years
Click around the maps to find out how many bald eagle breeding pairs there were in each of the lower forty-eight states from 1990 to 2000.
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.
This program originally aired in 2008.
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Photographed by three-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker Neil Rettig, "American Eagle" is the first HD hour on bald eagles ever. In this behind-the-scenes exclusive, Rettig talks about the making of the film while he captures footage of the spring migration along the Mississippi River. Rettig shares his favorite experiences from the filming and explains why he believes wildlife filmmakers have a special responsibility to move people to think about the natural world, now more than ever.
