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Dumb question..
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Dec 17, 2021 00:02:28   #
KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego
 
lmTrying wrote:
Born n raised in U.S. for 70 years. I wasn't sure, but thought it had something to do with the white feathers. I'm glad you asked the question, because I have often wondered the same thing. (See my signature line)


Shoot, now there's 3 of us! We should start a club, or a cult or something! Lol, I like your signature line, have you noticed mine?

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Dec 17, 2021 05:25:35   #
ArnieA Loc: BC,Canada
 
KindaSpikey wrote:
I realize that this is probably a stupid question with an obvious answer, but one that I genuinely don't know. (perhaps because I am a transplant from the UK where such magnificent creatures don't fly free, so I never saw any in my younger years). So the question is, why are these birds called "bald eagles", when they are so obviously not "bald", In fact they sport quite a magnificent crown? And I know it's quite possible that I am the only person who doesn't know the answer, and could ask Mr Google for the answer, but I'm curious to know if I really am the last person in the dark, or if any others don't know either. Please, no cheating, just fess up if you don't know why they carry that contradictory name, and then an explanation to explain it would be great. Thanks guys, please don't let it be only me!
I realize that this is probably a stupid question ... (show quote)




the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

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Dec 17, 2021 07:54:03   #
HamB
 
"Bald" is a perjorative term..
In this enlightened age we should refer to "hair challenged" eagles

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Dec 17, 2021 08:15:36   #
Abo
 
KindaSpikey wrote:
I realize that this is probably a stupid question with an obvious answer, but one that I genuinely don't know. (perhaps because I am a transplant from the UK where such magnificent creatures don't fly free, so I never saw any in my younger years). So the question is, why are these birds called "bald eagles", when they are so obviously not "bald", In fact they sport quite a magnificent crown? And I know it's quite possible that I am the only person who doesn't know the answer, and could ask Mr Google for the answer, but I'm curious to know if I really am the last person in the dark, or if any others don't know either. Please, no cheating, just fess up if you don't know why they carry that contradictory name, and then an explanation to explain it would be great. Thanks guys, please don't let it be only me!
I realize that this is probably a stupid question ... (show quote)


You reckon that's a dumb question; I told a blond; "I've had sex with a Brazilian",
and she asked;" Oh my God! how many is a brazillion?

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Dec 17, 2021 08:44:29   #
Canisdirus
 
The natives called them Bold Eagles...
Unfortunately there was a screw up when the told the New Englanders this.
Their accent did the rest...

Indian: There... look...Bold Eagle.
NE: A Bald eagle you say?
Indian: No...Bold.
NE: Gotcha...Bald.
Indian: BOOOOLD!!
NE: BAAAALD!!
Indian: Holy smokes...forget it...here have some lobster.
NE: Lobstah!!

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Dec 17, 2021 09:07:37   #
n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC
 
Another that never thought about it till you asked.

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Dec 17, 2021 09:09:08   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
From a distance you can’t see the white head feathers. The bird looks bald when flying at heights in the sky.

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Dec 17, 2021 09:29:03   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
twowindsbear wrote:
Their head feathers are snowy white when they mature & it take a few, to maybe even several years for the maturity to happen, and some people apparently thought they looked bald because people get bald wehe they get 'old.'


That's what I always thought.

Imagine trying to give the bird that name today. Baldies, other than myself, would object to that term. Lots of other names would also have an uphill battle. I doubt that "blue tit" would be accepted without a fight.

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Dec 17, 2021 09:43:40   #
Dannj
 
I was in your shoes until about a year ago and thanks to my granddaughter I found out the answer. We saw one in a book we were paging through and she asked the same question so we did some research and now we know👍

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Dec 17, 2021 09:47:02   #
BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA
 
KindaSpikey wrote:
I realize that this is probably a stupid question with an obvious answer, but one that I genuinely don't know. (perhaps because I am a transplant from the UK where such magnificent creatures don't fly free, so I never saw any in my younger years). So the question is, why are these birds called "bald eagles", when they are so obviously not "bald", In fact they sport quite a magnificent crown? And I know it's quite possible that I am the only person who doesn't know the answer, and could ask Mr Google for the answer, but I'm curious to know if I really am the last person in the dark, or if any others don't know either. Please, no cheating, just fess up if you don't know why they carry that contradictory name, and then an explanation to explain it would be great. Thanks guys, please don't let it be only me!
I realize that this is probably a stupid question ... (show quote)


I found this:

"The Bald Eagle's scientific name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, means sea (hali), eagle (aeetos), white (leukos), and head (cephalos) as in the feathers on the eagle's head. The word “bald” comes from the old English “balde,” meaning white. The Bald Eagle is a seabird with a white head."

Tongue in cheek: maybe a course in old English is in order?

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Dec 17, 2021 10:33:25   #
CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida
 
I had not a clue.

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Dec 17, 2021 13:30:17   #
josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts
 
Another excellent "dumb question". I learned a lot today. Thanks for asking.

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Dec 17, 2021 13:48:22   #
Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona
 
So when they call me old Baldey, they are pairing me up with our country's official bird, I feel much better now.😃

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Dec 17, 2021 14:40:56   #
PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA
 
KindaSpikey wrote:
I realize that this is probably a stupid question with an obvious answer, but one that I genuinely don't know. (perhaps because I am a transplant from the UK where such magnificent creatures don't fly free, so I never saw any in my younger years). So the question is, why are these birds called "bald eagles", when they are so obviously not "bald", In fact they sport quite a magnificent crown? And I know it's quite possible that I am the only person who doesn't know the answer, and could ask Mr Google for the answer, but I'm curious to know if I really am the last person in the dark, or if any others don't know either. Please, no cheating, just fess up if you don't know why they carry that contradictory name, and then an explanation to explain it would be great. Thanks guys, please don't let it be only me!
I realize that this is probably a stupid question ... (show quote)


A little philosophical comment that I have held for many years, there are no stupid or dumb questions. Questions are how we as humans learn much. Without questions we would remain unaware of the answer and would not understand why or how things are as they are. I will admit there are some questions that people could answer if they applied logic and common sense, but those qualities are not readily available to some people, unless they are guided in that direction.

Glad you had the initiative to ask a question for which you did not have the answer. Now you do have the answer and can help inform others if they ask.

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Dec 17, 2021 15:05:50   #
shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA
 
I am too transplant from S Korea in 1965. The Korean name is white headed eagle.I accepted as is. I do not argue with languages ,cuse they are not logical often LOL Shang

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