Perhaps the most well-known of all national animals is that of the United States. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a large North American bird of prey with a wide range that covers most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous states, and parts of northern Mexico.
It is thought that its national animal status came about because the founders of the US enjoyed comparing themselves to the classical Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery was prominent.
The bald eagle is in the sea eagle genus and as such has a diet comprising mostly of fish, which it swoops down and plucks from the water with its sizeable talons.
Did you know the bald eagle builds the largest tree nest ever recorded for any animal species.
Main image: Bald Eagle © Getty Images
