The bald eagle is most known for being the national bird and national animal of the United States of America. With its snowy-feathered (not bald) head and white tail, it is unmistakable in the skies. The bald eagle is an enduring symbol of strength, majesty, freedom, and democracy for the United States.
Brief History
The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird of the United States by the Continental Congress in 1782, during the period of the American Revolutionary War. It was chosen for its long life, great strength, and majestic looks. At the time, the bald eagle was commonly found across North America from Alaska to Florida.
The bald eagle had previously been used on official seals and flags of the United States beginning in the late 18th century. In fact, the founders wanted to depict the sovereignty of the new nation with this powerful bird of prey. The bald eagle was officially adopted as the national emblem of the U.S. when the Great Seal of the United States was finalized in 1782.
That same year, the fledgling United States fought for and gained independence from Britain. Just like the early Americans, the bald eagle was persistent, determined, and willing to fight for its survival and liberty. This made the bald eagle an excellent representative of the new nation.
National Bird
The bald eagle is the only eagle unique to North America. Most birds called ‘eagles’ in Africa, Asia, and Europe are actually types of vultures.
Found across North America, this iconic bird has a wingspan of up to 7 feet and weighs up to 14 lbs. Bald eagles have a life expectancy of up to 30 years in the wild. They build massive nests in the tops of trees that can weigh over 1,000 lbs.
Adult bald eagles are easily identified by their distinctive white head and tail feathers. Juveniles have mottled brown and white plumage until they are 4-5 years old.
While bald eagles will opportunistically eat fish, small mammals, birds, and carrion, they prefer to catch fish. Their diet is made up primarily of fish like salmon, herring, and perch. Bald eagles will steal food from other birds of prey as well.
Bald eagles mate for life and return to nest in the same area, often re-using and re-building the same nest each year. They lay between one to three eggs per breeding season.
By the 1960s, bald eagle populations were dramatically declining due to hunting, habitat loss, and the use of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). DDT poisoned the water and prey of bald eagles, causing them to lay eggs with shells too thin to withstand the weight of nesting adult birds. Thankfully, a ban on DDT and provisions in the Endangered Species Act allowed bald eagle numbers to bounce back.
Today, there are over 300,000 bald eagles in Alaska and Canada, and over 11,000 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states. The removal of the bald eagle from the endangered species list in 2007 was a major victory.
Characteristics of the Bald Eagle
| Physical Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Brown body, bright white head and tail |
| Length | 28-38 inches |
| Wingspan | 6-7 feet |
| Weight | 8-14 pounds |
| Lifespan | Up to 30 years |
| Speed | Up to 200 mph when diving |
| Prey | Mostly fish, small mammals |
National Symbol
The bald eagle is the most recognizable avian symbol of the United States. It appears on most official seals, flags, documents, currency, and federal agency logos. Some examples include:
- Great Seal of the United States
- Seal of the President of the United States
- Seal of the Vice President of the United States
- Presidential flag and vice-presidential flag
- Most coats of arms and seals of U.S. government departments
- Back of the U.S. quarter-dollar coin
- Obverse of the Sacagawea dollar coin
- Seal of the Department of Justice
- Seal of the Department of Defense
- Seal of the Department of Commerce
- Seal of Congress
- Seal of the U.S. Senate
- Seal of the U.S. Tax Court
- Official seal of the University of Iowa
The bald eagle is sometimes displayed with a U.S. flag behind it or grasping arrows, branches, or other items in its talons. Sometimes it is illustrated with a shield over its heart as well.
Significance as National Symbol
The bald eagle was selected to symbolize the United States because it:
- Is unique to North America
- Is the continent’s largest aerial predator and raptor
- Has great strength, longevity, and resilience
- Appears majestic, bold, and freedom-loving
- Was believed to live there permanently
- Reflects the self-reliance, independence, and sovereignty of the new country
The bald eagle represents American ideals like freedom, democracy, and justice. It exemplifies the power, spirit, determination, vigor, vision, swiftness, and majesty of the nation.
The species rebounded after nearing extinction in the 20th century. Its recovery reflects Americans’ care for their wilderness, environmentalism, and ability to self-correct. The eagle’s removal from the endangered species list in 2007 was a momentous achievement.
Cultural Significance
Native American tribes consider the bald eagle sacred. Its feathers and images are used in rituals and ceremonies to connect with spiritual realms. Images of eagles are common in Native American art, jewelry, and artifacts.
Many tribes tell legends about how the eagle became bald or how it got its white head and tail.
In modern times, the bald eagle is used widely in marketing, logos and imagery across North America because it instantly conjures up patriotism, freedom, and other American values.
Native American Lore
Here are some Native American legends about the bald eagle’s appearance and nature:
- A Shawnee tale states the Great Spirit rewarded the eagle’s service by making its head and tail white
- A Menominee legend says the eagle was burned while valiantly carrying water to douse a raging fire caused by evil underground manidoog
- In a Potawatomi story, Keneu, the golden eagle, injured himself while bringing fire to his people. The blood turned his head white
- Some Dakota and Ojibwe tribes believe the eagle’s white feathers show a connection to snow, winter, and the north
- A Lenape legend shares that a council of birds made the eagle their head due to its intelligence and strength
Bald eagles have inspired respect, awe, and pictorial storytelling across many Native cultures over hundreds of years.
Conservation Efforts
Various laws and initiatives have protected the bald eagle since America’s founding days. Some include:
- The Eagle Protection Act of 1918 made it illegal to take, possess, or sell bald eagles or their parts
- The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protected bald eagles from being hunted, trapped, or disturbed
- The Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 increased fines and jail time for harming eagles
- DDT was banned in 1972 after harming eagle reproduction
- The Endangered Species Act of 1973 designated the bald eagle as endangered in 43 states, helping populations recover
- Eagle nest sites are mapped and protected near waterways across the U.S.
- Hunters must use non-lead ammunition to prevent eagle poisoning
- The bald eagle was upgraded from Endangered to Threatened in 1995
- The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007
Ongoing conservation ensures healthy bald eagle populations, especially in the Chesapeake Bay, Florida, the Midwest, and across the Western United States.
Threats and Protection
While no longer endangered, bald eagles still face threats from habitat destruction, lead poisoning, collisions with cars and power lines, and illegal shooting. Ongoing preservation efforts include:
| Threat | Protection Measures |
|---|---|
| Habitat loss | Protect shoreline areas and maintain large trees suitable for nesting |
| Disturbance of nests | Keep human activity away from nests during breeding season |
| Lead poisoning | Require use of non-lead fishing tackle and ammunition |
| Electrocution | Install safe power poles, transformers, and lines |
| Collisions | Place markers on power lines to increase visibility |
| Illegal shooting | Enforce laws prohibiting harm to eagles |
Ongoing conservation ensures healthy bald eagle populations, especially in the Chesapeake Bay, Florida, the Midwest, and across the Western United States.
Conclusion
The bald eagle is an iconic American bird that symbolizes freedom, strength, spirit, and excellence. It is instantly recognizable as the national emblem of the United States, depicted on numerous official seals, flags, and symbols.
Nearly driven to extinction by hunting, habitat loss, and pesticides in the 20th century, bald eagle populations have flourished under strict protections and conservation efforts. Their remarkable recovery shows the importance of environmental stewardship.
This majestic white-headed raptor reminds Americans of their wildlife heritage and the wild places that still remain in the country. The eagle’s place as the national bird and national animal confirms its importance to American culture and history.
