Whether etched on the back of a United States quarter or perched on a towering treetop, the Bald Eagle is easily one of the most recognizable birds in the world. These large and powerful raptors can be found along coastlines and around bodies of water throughout North America, raising their young in massive, record-breaking nests and ruling their territory as a top predator.
The Bald Eagle’s undeniable majesty has earned it longtime status as the mascot of the United States, but the bird also has some surprisingly quirky traits, like its dicey aerial courtship routine or love of landfills. Read on to learn more fun facts about this treasured American icon—but maybe just brace yourself to be disappointed when you learn the truth about their calls.
1.) No, Bald Eagles aren’t actually bald. With a white-feathered head that’s a striking contrast to its brown body, this bird proves its name misleading—at least in the 21st century. The name was likely first used by early North American British settlers in the late 16th century and refers to the Middle English definition of the word “balde,” which did not describe hairlessness and instead meant “white-headed.” The species’ scientific name Haliaeetus leucocephalus also translates literally to “white-headed sea eagle.”
2.) The Bald Eagle is the only eagle species found solely in North America, ranging from Canada to northern Mexico. They have been spotted in every U.S. state except Hawaii, and typically nest on forest treetops near large bodies of water where they can easily survey the area for prey. While some Bald Eagles are year-round residents across much of the United States, others are migratory, wintering in the Lower 48 and summering in Canada.
3.) Inspired by the Bald Eagle’s striking appearance, the Second Continental Congress declared the bird the national symbol of the United States in 1782. Since then, Bald Eagles have been an emblem of American patriotism, with depictions of the raptor making their way onto currency, passports, military insignia, and flags. But it was only recently, on December 24, 2024, that the species was officially designated the national bird by former president Joe Biden.
4.) Despite their regal aura and reputation as mighty hunters, Bald Eagles are actually opportunists that will often steal prey instead of tracking down their own meals. The raptor has a habit of hounding Osprey and other hunting birds for their catches mid-flight. Exhausted by the bully’s badgering, the victim loses grasp of its prey, only for it to be reclaimed by the eagle. Bald Eagles also have no shame when it comes to scavenging for food scraps at landfills and sewage treatment plants.
5.) In the mid-1900s, Bald Eagle populations crashed as a result of hunting, habitat loss, and pesticide ingestion. With only around 400 nesting pairs remaining in the continental United States by 1976, the eagles began making their comeback after DDT, a pesticide that made them produce weak egg shells, was banned in 1972 and the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. As of 2021, there were an estimated 316,000 individuals in the country, and their recovery is widely considered to be one of the greatest American conservation success stories.
The couple soars into the sky, locks talons, and spirals toward the ground—releasing each other just before crashing.
6.) Bald Eagles usually mate for life, so when it comes time to pick a partner, they don’t hold back on drama. After attracting each other with mating calls and building a nest, a male and female pair will perform a theatrical courtship ritual sometimes called a cartwheel display. The couple soars into the sky, locks talons, and spirals toward the ground—releasing each other just before crashing. The pair then retreats to their nest to mate.
7.) Holder of the Guinness World Record for largest bird nest, these eagles build exceptionally gargantuan homes. Made out of large tree branches, plant stalks, seaweed, and other organic materials, the nests normally stretch five to six feet wide and two to four feet tall, depending on the shape of the tree. The record-setter was built in St. Petersburg, Florida and ran 10 feet wide and 20 feet tall while weighing more than 2 tons. In areas where trees are scarce or overcrowded with other Bald Eagle pairs, the birds will occasionally construct nests on the ground.
8.) Though often spotted gliding gracefully through the air, Bald Eagles are also expert swimmers. It’s not their go-to form of transport, but sometimes it’s worth a big meal. After snagging an extra heavy fish from the water, the eagle might opt to swim back to shore, performing a butterfly stroke of sorts with its wings.
9.) Bald Eagles are apex predators that can live up to 25 years in the wild and 50 in captivity. Unfortunately, human activities and threats put the birds at risk. The oldest-known wild Bald Eagle died at 38 years old after being struck by a car in Henrietta, New York. Other common unnatural causes of death include entanglements with power lines, consumption of toxic chemicals like lead, and collisions with wind turbines. Though removed from the endangered species list in 2007, Bald Eagles remain federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
10.) The next time you hear a Bald Eagle sound an epic cry on TV, don’t be deceived: These formidable raptors actually have meek, high-pitched cries that are often replaced with that of the Red-tailed Hawk in movies, television shows, and commercials. Red-tailed Hawks make a sustained, piercing screech that sounds much more ominous and intimidating, making them the preferred avian voice actor for Hollywood sound editors.
