The eagle is a noble bird. It sits perched, proud and strong, on a cliff high above the land and waters below, and looks out over the wilderness surrounding it.

This image of the eagle is one I have always had in my mind’s eye. Though there are more than fifty different species of eagles, I always associate the eagle with The United States.

The Bald Eagle, found only in North America, is a national symbol of The United States. It even has a place on the American flag.

The Bald Eagle even has a day named in its honor in America. June 20th was chosen as the day as it commemorates the date in 1782 that the eagle was adopted as a national symbol.

The eagle is well chosen as a national symbol as it aptly represents the values that America stands for.

The Bald Eagle is a strong and independent bird. They are also intelligent and cunning. They are fighters and survivors.

The eagle is a majestic bird that represents freedom. This is reflected in its flight.

The eagle is expert at flying and can fly as high as 15,000 feet. They are also very speedy and can fly as fast as 160 kilometers per hour! They’d easily break the speed limit on any major highway!

If you have ever been fortunate enough to see an eagle fly you will be in awe of their strength, beauty and grace as they soar and glide.

Incredible to watch, there is a practical reason for their long gliding motion - it helps to save energy, allowing the eagle to fly farther.

But what about its name? In any pictures I’ve seen of ‘Bald’ Eagles they don’t look bald.

The name is rooted in an old English word for white.That part makes sense because the head of a Bald Eagle is covered in white feathers.

Its tail feathers are also white though the Bald Eagle doesn’t actually get its distinctive white head and tail feathers it’s four to five years of age.

The wings of the Bald Eagle are brown and its wingspan is an impressive 6 to 7.5 feet! Oddly enough, this large wingspan doesn’t mean a heavy body. In fact, the Bald Eagle weighs a mere 10 - 14 pounds.

Bald Eagles are typically faithful and stay with one partner for their life. The reason for this is to raise their young together. This gives the eagle chicks a greater chance of surviving.

An eagle nest is enormous and can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. The name for its nest is an eyrie.

Eagles build their nests on cliffs, older trees as well as dead trees. Eagles like to be situated high up, like people who prefer a high-rise apartment.

There is a good reason for this. The eagle is a bird of prey, meaning it feeds on meat and carrion. The eagle is an excellent hunter.

Equipped with very sharp talons or claws, large feet with spikes on them, and a hooked beak, the Bald Eagle is a serious threat to fish, rodents like mice and rabbits, and other birds.

Eagles are also scavengers which means they eat dead stuff. Yucky to us but yummy to them.

Another very helpful characteristic of the eagle is its superb eyesight. In fact, the eagle can see five times farther than a human being with perfect eyesight.

It can also use its eyes separately or together, giving it an ability to see a great deal at any time.

I could go on and on about these fascinating birds, but just imagine having the chance to create magnificent illustrations of eagles!

You can, with our 50-page Regal Eagles Coloring Book. 

Not only will you be able to immerse yourself in the wonder and majesty of these incredible birds, but you will reap the many benefits of coloring.