Description
The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird indigenous to United States. It inhabits near large bodies of open water with abundant food sources across north america.
Habitat
Extended Data
Taxonomy
Fun Facts
Bald eagles have a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) and can dive at speeds exceeding 160 km/h (100 mph)
They were removed from the US Endangered Species List in 2007 after DDT bans allowed their numbers to recover from just 417 nesting pairs in 1963
The bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782, appearing on the Great Seal
Despite their name, they are not bald — the name comes from the Old English 'balde' meaning 'white', referring to their white head feathers
They mate for life and return to the same nest year after year, with some nests weighing over 2 tonnes