Bald Eagle

The bald eagle has a wingspan up to 7.5 feet and can see up to seven times better than a human. It can fly up to 40 mph and dive at speeds of 100 mph. Its diet prefers fish, but it will also eat large birds, mammals, and carrion. Its range includes Canada, the US, and Mexico, and it is most abundant in Alaska and Canada. As the national symbol of the US, the image of the bald eagle appears on the presidential seal, currency, and stamps. A bald eagle does not develop its distinctive white head until it is five years old. If an eagle is dragged down by a large fish, it can use its wings to swim. The pesticide chemical DDT caused the bald eagle to be placed on the Endangered Species List in 1967, and national protection along with reintroduction programs enabled it to be removed from the list in 2007.

Norristown, Pennsylvania · United States