A little reason to celebrate
American Eagle Day
Animal · History · June 20
A day for the bald eagle, the white-headed bird of prey that serves as the national symbol of the United States, and for watching it in the wild.
American Eagle Day falls on Sunday, June 20, 2027. That is 236 days away.
The bald eagle is a large bird of prey found across North America, and it is the national bird of the United States. Adults are hard to mistake: a dark brown body, a bright white head and tail, and a heavy yellow beak. The name does not mean the bird lacks feathers. It comes from an older sense of bald meaning white.
Eagles spend much of their time near water. Fish make up a big part of their diet, and they will also take ducks or scavenge when a meal is easy. Young eagles are mottled brown and take several years to grow their white heads, so a big brown bird near a lake may be an eagle in its teenage phase.
Pairs build huge nests of sticks high in tall trees and often return to the same nest, adding to it over time. Some nests grow heavy enough to rival a small car, or at least feel that way to the tree.
The bird also turns up all over American life, on the Great Seal of the United States and on coins, which is where the history side of this day comes in. Many people mark it by looking for the real thing. Wildlife refuges, reservoirs and rivers are good places to scan the tall trees, especially in colder months when eagles gather near open water. Binoculars help, and keeping a respectful distance matters, because nesting eagles are easily disturbed.
If you spot one, watch the wings. Eagles soar on flat, plank-like wings and barely flap, riding rising air in long, slow circles.
Ways to celebrate
- Look for eagles near a local river, lake or wildlife refuge.
- Watch from a distance with binoculars so nesting birds are not disturbed.
- Find the eagle on a coin or dollar bill and compare details.
- Tune in to a public eagle nest webcam.
- Pick up litter and fishing line near waterways where birds feed.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, June 20 |
| 2027 | Sunday, June 20 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, June 20 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, June 20 |
| 2030 | Thursday, June 20 |
Also on June 20
Categories: Animal daysHistory days