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

When Big Bear’s celebrity bald eagle couple’s eggs were eaten by ravens in late January, they didn’t grieve alone.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

Occasionally, she’d draw and share illustrations, such as of a crosswalk sign and a bald eagle she had spotted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Ravens recently ate the internet-famous bald eagle couple’s two eggs, a sad twist to the nesting season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

By the way, Ng confirms that bald eagle infatuation is very much an American enterprise.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

All he saw was Dr. Taylor M. Martin and the bald eagle.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers