Bald eagles are iconic symbols of the United States. Here are some notable facts:
• They are not actually bald; their white head feathers reflect sunlight.
• They can stand up to 3 feet tall with wingspans reaching 8 feet.
• Their vision is 4 to 8 times sharper than a human’s.
• They were named the national bird in 1782.
• They are a conservation success story after rebounding from pesticide-related declines.
• They eat mainly fish but also birds, mammals, and carrion.
• They mate for life and build massive nests reused for years.
• They can live 20 to 30 years in the wild.
Bald eagles remain powerful symbols of strength, freedom, and resilience.