How many bald eagles in 1970?

In the 1970s, the bald eagle population in the United States had dramatically declined due to habitat destruction, hunting, and the effects of pesticides like DDT. By 1970, it was estimated that there were only about 500 breeding pairs of bald eagles remaining in the lower 48 states. This decline led to the species being listed as endangered in 1978, prompting conservation efforts that eventually helped their population recover.