Haliaeetus leucocephalus, a sea eagle, is a bird of prey that can be found throughout North America, covering most of Canada and Alaska, the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. It can be found near large bodies of open water, where it can find a good food supply and large trees for nesting.

The bald eagle was nearing local extinction in the continental United States in the late 20th century, while still growing strong in Canada and Alaska. It's overall population has increased due to species protection, being placed on the U.S. endangered species list. It has since been reclassified in 1995 from Endangered to Threatened, and was completely delisted in 2007. As a personal experience, I hardly noticed any wild populations here in Florida growing up during the 1980's and '90's, but now know of at least 4 local nests, indicating rising growth locally.

The bald eagle's diet consists mostly of fish, but is an opportunistic eater. It's main diet was actually a major contributing factor in it's decline, with the rise in the use of DDT causing pollution in waters. The DDT didn't harm the adult bird, but did cause loss of calcium, resulting in weak, thin-shelled eggs too thin to support the weight of the brooding adult, and sometimes sterilization. The effects on fishing birds such as the bald eagle have led to the banning of the use of DDT.

The bald eagle is also the national bird of the United States, appearing on most of its official seals, probably most notably the Seal of the President of the United States.