Several sources point out that "Bald" does not mean hairless in this case - but rather white.
Early settlers mistook this bird for the European Sea Eagle; the scientific name of the bald eagle is Haliaetus leucocephalus, which actually translates from Latin and Greek into 'sea eagle with a white head.'
Our National Symbol:
The well-known image of the majestic bald eagle has been used on numerous official seals, buildings, coins and flags throughout the United States.
The bald eagle has a wingspan of 6-8 feet and can weigh up to 15 pounds. An eagle can spot a fish from over a mile away and can dive from the sky at 100 miles per hour.
Only adult eagles have the familiar white head and tail; juveniles of a few years or less have brown plumage and resemble a hawk.
Eagles are raptors. Their diet consists mainly of fish and waterfowl; they typical build nests near the water to be close to fishing grounds. Nests can weigh 2000 pounds. Eagles mate for life and can live up to 25 years.
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