The bald eagle is the national bird symbol of the United States of America. It has been chosen as the national bird because of its majestic beauty, great strength, long life and because it is native only to North America. The bald eagle is a powerful and iconic representation of freedom, liberty and fierce independence for the United States.
Significance as the National Bird
The bald eagle was officially adopted as the national emblem of the United States on June 20, 1782. It was chosen for its majestic beauty, strength and long life. Found only in North America, the bald eagle represents freedom and democracy. It appears on official seals, flags, currency, postage stamps and other items relating to the U.S. government. Seeing the bald eagle in flight with its white head and white tail feathers spread wide is a magnificent sight. The white feathers represent purity, while the powerful wings represent the ability to soar above the rest.
Appearance on Official Seals
The bald eagle appears on several official seals and coats of arms in the United States government, including:
- The Great Seal of the United States
- The presidential seal
- The seals of the president and vice president of the United States Senate
- The seals of many government departments such as State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and NASA
Appearance on Currency
Images of the bald eagle appear on several coins minted by the U.S. Mint. They include:
- The American Silver Eagle dollar
- American Gold Eagle bullion coins
- American Platinum Eagles
- Half Eagle gold coin
The bald eagle has also appeared on several other outdated U.S. coins.
Majestic Beauty and Strength
With its snowy-feathered (not bald) head and white tail feathers, bold yellow beak and eyes, and brown body, the bald eagle is a strikingly beautiful bird. It has a wingspan of up to 7 feet and weighs 10-14 lbs. Its powerful talons and sharp beak make it a formidable predator. Eagles are able to soar and fly up to 10,000 feet high. They can reach flying speeds of up to 100 mph when diving for prey.
Description
Here are some key facts about the bald eagle’s appearance:
- Has a bright white head and tail feathers, with a brown body
- Yellow beak, eyes, and feet
- Wingspan up to 7 feet
- Weighs 10-14 lbs
- Females are larger than males
Diet and Hunting
The bald eagle is an opportunistic feeder and subsists mainly on fish. However it also hunts mammals, gulls, and other birds. Here is what a bald eagle’s diet consists of:
- Fish including salmon, herring, catfish, suckers, and carp
- Waterfowl such as ducks and gulls
- Small mammals including raccoons, rabbits, muskrats and squirrels
- Reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans
- Carrion (dead and decaying animals)
Eagles utilize their excellent eyesight and sharp talons to swoop down and snatch up prey. They will also wade into water to grab fish or scavenge carrion floating in water.
Long life span
The bald eagle is a long-lived bird, with a life expectancy of up to 28 years in the wild and 48 years in captivity. This longevity is remarkable among birds. Eagles pairing up and returning to nest in the same area year after year has become part of American lore. The older the eagle, the earlier it returns to the nesting site each year. Their dedication to mating for life and returning to the same nesting spot each year is iconic.
Maturity Milestones
It takes several years for a bald eagle to reach full maturity and develop their iconic white head and tail feathers.
- Eagles reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years old
- Develop all-brown plumage at 1 year old
- Begin developing white feathers at 3-4 years old
- Obtain full white head and tail feathers at 5 years old
Mating and Nesting
Bald eagles mate for life. They perform aerial displays during courtship and to reinforce the pair bond.
- Breeding age is 4-5 years old
- Nest building begins 1-3 months before breeding
- Nest diameter is 4-5 feet; weighs 1 metric ton
- Usually 1-3 eggs per clutch
- Eggs incubate for 34-36 days
- Fledglings leave the nest at 10-13 weeks
The nest is reused and added to each breeding season. Some nests grow to over 9 feet wide and weigh up to 2 metric tons.
Recovery from Near Extinction
The bald eagle was once on the brink of extinction in the lower 48 states of the U.S. Its numbers severely declined from hunting, habitat loss and the use of DDT pesticide after World War II. However, conservation efforts and banning DDT allowed bald eagle numbers to rebound significantly. From about 400 nesting pairs in the 1950s, the population now stands at over 316,700 bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Truly, the recovery of the bald eagle population is an American conservation success story.
Population Decline
Here are some key events that caused bald eagles to decline to near extinction:
- Mass hunting of eagles in 18th and 19th centuries
- Widespread loss of habitat and food sources
- Use of pesticide DDT after World War II
- DDT caused their eggshells to thin and break
- Bald eagle numbers declined to only 400-500 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states in the 1950s
Recovery Efforts
Conservation efforts allowed bald eagle populations to rebound significantly:
- Banned DDT pesticide in 1972
- Listed bald eagles as endangered in 43 states in 1967
- Placed under federal protection of the Endangered Species Act in 1978
- Designated national symbols and protected from harassment/harm
- Careful reintroduction programs
- Habitat protection and management of suitable nesting areas
These efforts allowed bald eagle numbers to successfully recover to over 316,700 nesting pairs today. They were removed from the Endangered Species list in 2007.
Native to North America
The bald eagle is only found naturally in North America. This makes it even more symbolic as America’s national bird. During the early years of the United States, the country was looking to establish its own national identity separate from Britain. The bald eagle was a perfect representation of liberty and freedom.
Geography
Here is an overview of the bald eagle’s native territory:
- Found near coasts, rivers, large lakes or other bodies of open water
- Nests in tall trees or on cliffs near water
- Winters along Pacific and Atlantic coasts; as far north as Alaska and Canada
- Summers across North America from Florida to Baja California up to Alaska and Canada
Bald eagles are well adapted to aquatic ecosystems where they can hunt fish and waterfowl.
Migration
Bald eagles migrate seasonally to seek out the best habitat conditions and food availability.
- Northern bald eagles migrate south in winter
- Southern bald eagles migrate slightly north in summer
- Eagles that nest or winter along coasts minimize migration
- Migration routes follow coastlines, ridgelines and rivers
- Migrate during daytime; cover around 200-500km daily
Their ability to cover vast distances during seasonal migration enhances their range across North America.
Cultural Significance
The bald eagle holds a revered place in Native American culture. It is considered a sacred bird and symbol in their religious ceremonies, rituals, stories and artwork. Images of eagles can be found painted on homes, clothing and ceremonial objects. Eagle feathers are regarded as a sign of honor and used in many rituals. The Lakota give an eagle feather as a symbol of honor for a brave deed. Many other tribes also associate eagles with bravery, prestige and having a connection with the divine spirit.
Symbolism in Native American Culture
Here is some of the symbolism associated with the bald eagle:
- Bravery, courage and prestige
- Divine connection between the earthly and heavenly planes
- Ability to soar into the sky and commune with the Creator
- Messenger between humans and spirits
- Eagle feathers signify honor
Eagles are featured prominently in totem poles, headdresses, jewelry, clothing and rituals.
Significance in Art and Rituals
The bald eagle appears frequently in Native American traditions:
- Eagle feather headdresses worn by tribes like Sioux, Cheyenne and Apache
- Powwow dances use eagle feather bustles
- Eagle feathers worn in hair or on clothes for rituals
- Totem poles carved with eagles on top
- Eagle motifs on homes, clothing and artifacts
- Sacred initiation ritual of eagle hunt
Eagles connect the human and the divine in ceremonies blessing events like births, marriages and chief inaugurations.
Conservation Status
The bald eagle has made an incredible recovery after once being on the brink of extinction. It now has a healthy and stable population thanks to years of conservation efforts. However, bald eagles still face some continued threats today:
- Habitat destruction reduces nesting sites and available food
- Human activity near nests can disturb breeding
- Climate change may impact prey and habitat
- Lead bullets are ingested from feeding on carrion and can cause lead poisoning
- Collisions with vehicles and towers
- Illegal killing and disturbances still occur
Ongoing conservation aims to mitigate these threats and protect bald eagle populations into the future.
| Year | Breeding Pairs (lower 48 states) | Federal Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 484 | Reported endangered in 40 states |
| 1967 | 417 | Listed as endangered species |
| 1994 | 4,028 | Downlisted to threatened |
| 2007 | 9,789 | Removed from endangered species list |
| 2009 | 11,040 | Managed under Bald Eagle Protection Act |
| 2019 | 31,938 | Monitored; stable numbers |
This table shows the recovery of bald eagle breeding pairs and change in conservation status over time. From just 417 pairs in 1967, the number increased over 75 times to 31,938 pairs by 2019 after protections were implemented.
Conclusion
In summary, the bald eagle is such a revered national symbol because of its physical majesty, strength, longevity and exclusive native status to North America. Its remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction to flourishing numbers today is an inspiring conservation success story. The bald eagle’s national emblem status originated from its association with freedom, liberty and fierce independence. It remains an iconic representation of American ideals, resilience and spirit today. The eagle still maintains an exalted status in Native American culture as a sacred bird and symbol featured prominently in traditions and artwork. By learning about and protecting this special species, we safeguard an important part of America’s heritage. The bald eagle’s uniqueness and what it represents make it truly so special to the United States.
