| For many years I taught my fifth grade | | | | below. Their shrill cries blended with the |
| students about the symbols of the United | | | | cries of the fighting men. Some of them said |
| States of America. Over the years I have | | | | they are "shrieking for freedom". |
| grown to love our national symbol, the | | | | |
| American Bald Eagle. Many students are | | | | When born the Bald Eagle is born it is gray |
| shocked to learn that our national symbol is | | | | and not the graceful bird of flight that you |
| not the flag, but the Bald Eagle. | | | | see five years later after it has developed |
| | | | it's white tail feathers and head feathers. |
| In 1782 it was chose as the National Bird and | | | | |
| then as our national emblem in 1787. You can | | | | The Bald Eagle is at the top of the food |
| find it on the Great Seal of the United | | | | chain living in the tops of lofty mountains |
| States with its wings spread wide and a | | | | and near coasts and lakes where fish abound. |
| shield for his breast. The shield has 13 red | | | | They represent boundless freedom as they soar |
| and white stripes. In its right talon it | | | | through the blue skies. |
| holds an olive branch and, if you care to | | | | |
| count, you will find that the olive branch | | | | When you first see this bird he is really |
| has 13 leaves and 13 berries. This olive | | | | impressive. It has a 2 ½ - 3 foot body |
| branch represents the United States desire | | | | and can spread its sings 6-8 feet. When it |
| for peace. In the Bald Eagles left talon is | | | | spreads those wings and takes flight you |
| a bundle of 13 arrows that represent our | | | | catch your breath because they are so |
| willingness to fight for our freedom, if | | | | beautiful. To see their nests (aerie) in |
| necessary. Finally in its beak is a scroll | | | | trees you would look for a tree that is |
| with the motto "E Pluribus Unum" which means | | | | usually over seventy five feet tall. The |
| 'one out of many'. | | | | nests themselves are about five feet in |
| | | | diameter and just as deep. |
| The Bald Eagle also appears on the | | | | |
| Presidential Seal, most coins, paper money | | | | There are many interesting facts about the |
| and many stamps. | | | | Bald Eagle, such as its diving speed which |
| | | | can reach 100mph as it goes for a fish. At |
| There are many types of eagles all over the | | | | one time they were being killed in record |
| world, but the American Bald Eagle only lives | | | | numbers for their beautiful feathers. The |
| on the North American Continent. That is one | | | | government intervened and put them on the |
| reason that the Golden Eagle was not chosen | | | | endangered list. |
| because it lives in Europe, also. | | | | |
| | | | The term 'eagle eyes' refers to their ability |
| It has been reported that at one of the first | | | | to see 1 ½ miles away. We need to keep an |
| battles of the Revolutionary War the noise of | | | | eagle eye on our freedoms that are |
| the battle awoke sleeping eagles who flew | | | | represented by this noble bird, The American |
| from their nests circling the men fighting | | | | Bald Eagle, so that we don't loose them. |