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    The bald eagle, aka the American eagle, is an amazing creature. Strong and fierce, this beautiful bird is the perfect national symbol for the USA.

    BEAUTIFUL BALDIES

    The bald eagle is found only on the North American continent. It has a very distinctive coloring -- a dark brown body and white head -- making it easy to spot from a distance. The bald eagle's Latin name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, means "the sea eagle with a white head." (National Wildlife Federation)

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    AWE-INSPIRING EAGLES

    The founders of the USA wanted a powerful and strong bird that would symbolize a nation they hoped also would be powerful and strong. What better than a bird that soars high in the sky to represent freedom? Today, the bald eagle is seen on coins, stamps and much more. (All About Birds)

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    BIG BEAUTIES

    The bald eagle can be over 2 feet in height. Their wingspans can be anywhere from 5-8 feet wide. They are easy to spot, as their beautiful coloring is uniform for all adult bald eagles. (Enchanted Learning)

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    CARNIVOROUS CUTIES

    Bald eagles mostly just eat meat. Mainly, they eat fish. They will scavenge for dead fish, but they can catch live fish as well. They will also feed on dead animals if they cannot find other food. Being an opportunist, the bald eagle will even sometimes steal fish from a crow or osprey! (eaglenature)

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    TOGETHER FOREVER

    Bald eagles generally mate for life. However, if one of a pair is killed or leaves, the surviving eagle will move on to find another mate, and their nest may be abandoned. (Eagles at Lake Monroe)

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    BABY BALDS

    Adult bald eagles generally take very good care of their young. This includes feeding the eaglets all the food they can eat. As a result of all the feeding, the chicks grow rapidly. (Eagle Nature Foundation)

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    ACCOMPLISHED BALDY

    Challenger is a well-known bald eagle. He's a 23-year-old male who was the first of his kind to be trained to free fly into stadiums during the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner." Challenger is used for educational purposes, and has achieved a lot in his life. He has also appeared in television shows including, "Good Morning America," "Larry King Live" and "The Late Show With David Letterman." (Good Morning America)

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    NEAT NESTERS

    The largest bald eagle nest to date was over 9 feet wide and 20 feet in height. It weighed more than two tons. (National Geographic)

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    MAKING A COMEBACK

    Bald eagles were hunted for decades, and the species was nearly wiped out. Also, farmers were starting to use pesticides that were poisonous to eagles. Bald eagles became endangered in 1967. Luckily, the use of pesticides is better regulated now, and the birds have made a dramatic comeback. They were taken off the endangered-species list in 2007. (San Diego Zoo)

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