Since 1782, the bald eagle has represented a symbol of pride, strength, and freedom. It also represents a healthy ecosystem. Bald eagles are found throughout Southern California including in the San Bernardino National Forest, on Catalina Island, and in Orange County. These birds don’t develop their famous white head feathers until they reach sexual maturity around age five. Until then, the feathers are brown and the birds can be mistaken for other large raptors. For this Biodiversity Week Celebration, let’s cheer on these migratory birds and hope they continue to use our hills and mountains to forage and maybe even nest!