Our National Bird

The eagle is a large bird of prey bird weighing from 8 to 12 pounds. Eagles usually build large stick nests high in trees or on high cliffs near water. Some nests have weighed over 500 pounds! There are two types of eagles in the United States-the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle.

The eagle is a strong and proud bird, a symbol of strength and power. This is one reason why the eagle was chosen to be our national bird and is used in our National Emblem.

When the United States began, there were many of these great birds. Today, there are fewer eagles than in earlier times, but they are slowly making a comeback thanks to federal protection of these birds and the banning of certain pesticides. It is illegal to hunt or shoot any bird of prey.

Your chances of seeing an eagle soaring in the air today are much greater than they were just a few years ago!