1. During mating season, Bald Eagle pairs join talons and cartwheel to the ground.

2. When Eagles lose a feather on one wing, they lose a feather on the other to balance themselves.

3. They can fly up to 40 miles per hour.

4. As eaglets, Bald Eagles play tug-a-war with their nest-mates. (Also they are called eaglets, which is awesome in of itself)

5. Male Bald Eagles “gift” their female mate shrubbery when the female is incubating.

6. Non-captive Bald Eagles may live as long as 40 years old.

7. They are late bloomers; most juveniles are watched over by their parents until they are 4-6 months old.

8. It is a sea eagle, possibly one of the oldest genera of living birds, and definitely not a chicken of the sea.

9. The bald eagle is not only the national bird; it is also our national animal. Take that mammals, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, and reptiles!

10. They can attack prey that weigh more than them.

11. They can swim.

12. They lay eggs around Valentine’s Day. So romantic!

13. Eagle parents use a different way of walking when they have young in their nest. They curl their talons inward so as to not accidentally impale a chick.

14. Eaglets have the fastest growth-rate of any North American bird.

15. Try and find a federal government emblem without the bird.

There you have it! USA! USA! USA!

Photo by Randy Finley.