About Bald Eagles On American Eagle Day

It's officially "American Eagle Day" ... did you know? And although not a nationally recognized holiday -- it seems like a good day to share some fun facts about our fine-feathered friends -- 113 of which were counted within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area just this last January.

• 234 years ago today (on June 20, 1782), the bald eagle was selected as the National Emblem of the United States.


• Long ago, the term "bald" didn't really mean hairless ... it actually meant "white" - which makes the bald eagle's scientific name of "Haliaeetus Leucocephalus" make more sense, as it translates to "white-headed sea eagle."


• In terms of size, a bald eagle's body is about 3 feet from head to tail, with males being smaller than females. Their wingspan is approximately 6 feet for males and 7 feet for females.


• It is believed that they mate for life ... well, at least for one of their lives. Once bald eagles find their mates, they live together until one of them dies, after which the surviving eagle will then seek a new mate.


• And lastly, their natural lifespan in the wild is about 20 years, but one was known to have lived almost 50 years in captivity.