The Great Seal of Alabama, 1911. The image depicts a bald eagle holding a banner that reads "Here we rest." It is holding arrows and standing on a shield decorated with stars and stripes.

Seal of Alabama

The Great Seal of Alabama, 1911. The image depicts a bald eagle holding a banner that reads "Here we…

The Seal of the State of Arkansas. The seal shows Mercy, a bald eagle holding a shield, and the sword of justice.

Seal of Arkansas

The Seal of the State of Arkansas. The seal shows Mercy, a bald eagle holding a shield, and the sword…

"Sclerotals of eye of bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus)." -Whitney, 1911

Eagle Eye Sclerotal

"Sclerotals of eye of bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus)." -Whitney, 1911

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable as the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle. Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States and northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.

Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable…

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey known for being the national bird of the United States of America.

Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey known for being the national bird of the…

"Haliaetus leucocephalus. White-headed Sea Eagle. "Bald Eagle." "Bird of Washington". Adult: Dark brown; quills black; head and tail white; bill, eyes, and feet yellow. Three years are required for the perfection of the white head tail of the "bald" eagle. The first year, the young are "black" eagle; very dark colored, with fleecy white bases of the feathers showing here and there; bill black; iris brown feet yellow. The next year, they are "gray" eagles, and usually larger than the old birds, the largest known specimens being of this kind." Elliot Coues, 1884

Bald Eagle

"Haliaetus leucocephalus. White-headed Sea Eagle. "Bald Eagle." "Bird of Washington". Adult: Dark brown;…

Bald eagle.

Bald Eagle

Bald eagle.

Foot of a bald eagle, showing claws for seizing its prey.

Claw of a Bald Eagle

Foot of a bald eagle, showing claws for seizing its prey.

"The Erne is one of the 'bare-legged' eagles. The genus includes some seven species, represented apparently in all parts of the world except South America. A notable species is the white-headed or bald eagle, the emblem of the United States. This erne is common in North America, both by the coasts and by inland lakes, and also occurs in Northern Europe. The general color is brown, but the head and neck of the adults are milky-white, and the same is true of the rounded tail."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Erne

"The Erne is one of the 'bare-legged' eagles. The genus includes some seven species, represented apparently…

The Great Seal of the United States with "E. Pluribus Unum" and a bald eagle holding thirteen arrows and an olive branch.

Great Seal of the United States

The Great Seal of the United States with "E. Pluribus Unum" and a bald eagle holding thirteen arrows…

The Seal of the State of Illinois, 1818. The seal shows the bald eagle on a rock carrying a shield. It carries a banner with the state motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union."

Seal of Illinois

The Seal of the State of Illinois, 1818. The seal shows the bald eagle on a rock carrying a shield.…

The Great Seal of the State of Mississippi. The bald eagle wears stars and stripes and holds an olive branch symbolizing peace and arrows representing war.

Seal of Mississippi

The Great Seal of the State of Mississippi. The bald eagle wears stars and stripes and holds an olive…

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, 1850. The seal pictures the American Bald Eagle and the Mexican Eagle holding a cactus in its talons and a snake in its mouth. Below them is a banner with the state motto, 'Crescit Eundo' meaning "It grows as it goes."

Seal of New Mexico

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, 1850. The seal pictures the American Bald Eagle and the Mexican…

The Seal of the State of Pennsylvania. The seal shows a shield which has a ship, a plow, and sheaves of wheat. This represents commerce, labor, and agriculture.

Seal of Pennsylvania

The Seal of the State of Pennsylvania. The seal shows a shield which has a ship, a plow, and sheaves…

The Great Seal of the State of Utah, 1896. The seal shows a bald eagle holding a shield. The shield has a beehive with the motto "Industry."

Seal of Utah

The Great Seal of the State of Utah, 1896. The seal shows a bald eagle holding a shield. The shield…