Bald Eagle Image

The Bald Eagle image as a fierce raptor and competitor for food with humans persisted for several centuries. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bald Eagles were killed in great numbers by the pioneers because the farmers, ranchers and hunters considered them to be pests raiding domestic stock and killing a lot of fish, squirrels, hares and other game. Actually, a Bald Eagle catches a fish or a small mammal only 3-4 times a week and cannot compete with humans. Like all raptors, Bald Eagles control the population of their prey and kill only weak and elderly individuals, which is useful for the population. Humans, on the contrary, try to kill the best representatives during the hunt. As for raiding domestic livestock, Bald Eagles are not strong enough to lift a prey heavier than 4 pounds.

The Bald Eagle image is very popular in legends and myths of the Native Americans who considered these birds to be related to the sun. Such connection is perhaps explained by the ability of all eagles to look straight into the sun. In many cultures, eagles were also associated with death and the journey of souls.

A Bald Eagle image in many cultures can have the same power as the bird itself. Eagle feathers were and still are considered by many cultures to be very powerful. Feathers, beaks and talons of these birds were important in war ceremonies and healing rituals. Some Native American tribes kept captive Bald Eagles for feathers. Nowadays, eagle feathers can be obtained for ceremonial purposes only by permit, because the Bald Eagle and other eagles are protected by law in America.

Throughout history, people admired these birds for their strength, endurance, agility and hunting skills. The eagle is a traditional symbol of might, power and freedom. Eagles can be found on many seals, emblems and coat of arms from ancient times up to nowadays. Bald Eagles are the only large birds of prey confined to North America. No wonder, they became the official birds of the state adopted for the Great Seal. The Bald Eagle image was declared as the symbol of the USA in 1782.