Bald Eagle officially declared America's national bird
On December 24, 2024, US President Joe Biden signed a law officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the USA. The law went into effect just before Christmas, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
he bill was unanimously passed by both chambers of Congress. While the eagle had served as an unofficial symbol of the country for over 240 years, it had not been given legal recognition until now. Since its image was adopted on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, it has come to represent freedom and strength of America. It appears on government seals, coins, flags, and emblems.
In the 20th century, its numbers sharply declined due to hunting and the use of DDT. Thanks to conservation efforts, including the pesticide ban in 1972, the eagle population was restored, and in 2007, the species was removed from the endangered species list.
The bald eagle is a species found exclusively in North America. It is characterized by a striking contrast between its white head and tail against a dark brown body and wings. The eagle prefers to live near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, where a variety of food is available. While primarily a predator, it also scavenges. Its diet mainly consists of fish, small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
With an impressive wingspan of up to 2.4 meters, the bald eagle can soar to altitudes of up to 3 kilometers. During a dive, it can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.
The bald eagle builds massive nests, sometimes over 2.4 meters wide, 3.6 meters high, and weighing more than two tons. These nests can cause trees to fall, especially during heavy snow or rain. When trees weaken, the eagles must build new nests on other large trees.
Ealier, it was reported that American Airlines faced a major disruption on Christmas Eve, one of the busiest travel days, due to a technical issue that grounded all its flights across the U.S.
