US Fish & Wildlife Service
Date of this Version
1964
Citation
Published by the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (1964) 95 pages.
Abstract
For centuries eagles have captured the fancy of man the world over. Because of its extensive range in the northern hemisphere, the golden eagle is the most widely known of this group of birds. Its use in falconry was the sport of kings. The frequency of its appearance in royal coats of arms indicated its importance. It is the national emblem of Germany and Mexico.
In North America the bald eagle as well as the golden eagle represents this group of powerful birds of prey. The bald eagle is strictly an American species, and the founders of the United States government selected it as our national emblem; its likeness is on the official seal. In 1940, the Bald Eagle Act placed the national bird under protection of Federal Law.