bald eagle

American  

noun

1. a large, fish-eating eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, of the U.S. and Canada, having dark golden-brown back and wings, and white plumage on the head and tail in the adult: some recently endangered populations are now recovering.

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bald eagle British  

noun

1. a large eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus , of North America, having a white head and tail, a yellow bill, and dark wings and body. It is the US national bird

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Etymology

Origin of bald eagle

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90

Example Sentences

The wingspan of an adult bald eagle ranges from 5.5 to 8 feet across; it’s roughly the same for a golden eagle.

From Los Angeles Times

“Maybe next week, a bald eagle will fall dead out of the sky and splat right on the White House lawn.”

From Salon

A poster for the attraction showcases the Statue of Liberty juxtaposed with the American flag and bald eagle.

From Los Angeles Times

When bald eagle power couple Jackie and Shadow’s two baby girls flew their Big Bear nest earlier this summer, it was bittersweet.

From Los Angeles Times

Sequoia National Park is home to the world’s largest trees and iconic birds including peregrine falcons and bald eagles.

From Los Angeles Times