VOA新闻杂志2025--American Culture: Bald Eagle Officially Named National Bird of U.S.

The bald eagle is a symbol of the United States. An image of the bird is on the flag and seal of the U.S. president, the seal of the U.S. Supreme¹ Court, military insignia, as well as the dollar bill.

Even so, the bird has had its ups and downs.

At one time, the bald eagle was at risk of permanent disappearance², or extinction³. Later, however, its numbers recovered. In the early 2000s, the federal government removed the bird from its endangered species list.

Culturally, too, the raptors are doing well again. In December 2024 before leaving office, Joe Biden signed legislation officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the United States.

Their well-being⁴ was connected a bug⁵ poison

The bald eagle has a long complex story of species weakness and recovery. An insect-killing chemical called DDT played a major part in that story.

DDT is a chemical used to kill insects. The substance also proved harmful to eagle eggs. American officials banned DDT in 1972. But the use of the chemical had already caused severe damage to eagle populations. For example, in the 1980s there was only one nesting pair of eagles in the state of New Jersey⁶. Now, there are about 300 pairs.

Efforts to save bald eagles

To rebuild the number of eagles across the U.S., researchers wanting to save them imported the birds from places where their population numbers were secure, including Canada.

Early on, they also removed eggs from their nests so they could safely hatch with scientists before being returned to their parents to raise, explained Kathy Clark. She is the head of New Jersey's Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

Clark has worked with the birds for many years. This includes the time when New Jersey had very few bald eagles, and they only lived in areas far from people.

Clark said that she will always remember that feeling of not knowing if the species will survive.

Maia Edwards is the science director at the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Alaska. She says the species represents “one of the few conservation success stories of animals” that came close to disappearing permanently⁷ from America.

“...I think now it's really important to make sure people know that story and learn from it,” she said.

Clark said the eagles have taught officials some lessons. One is that the raptors are good at changing to fit their environment. The birds now live in parts of New Jersey that are dense⁸ with people.

But, the birds still face dangers in such areas.

Jilian Fazio is director of the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in northern New Jersey. She said the zoo rescues a number of birds hit by cars. The zoo also is home to Freedom, a bald eagle named by the caretakers. Freedom was rescued hanging from a tree in Minnesota after he got caught in some rope. He was injured so badly that he cannot be returned to the wild, Fazio said.

A lack of eagle habitat and prey⁹ also threatens the species. Bald eagles feed heavily on fish, so they require clean, open water in which to hunt.

Disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza¹⁰ or bird flu, are another serious threat to the birds.

Native American symbolism

The birds are highly respected by several Native American cultures as symbols of strength, especially in the Pacific Northwest, says Paul Apodaca. He is a retired¹¹ university professor who specializes in stories and storytelling from different cultures.

The position of eagles as symbols of the U.S. adds to their protection.

“Americans are always going to have that sort of personal relationship with bald eagles," said Clark, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection official.

Dan Day is a birder. He has seen bald eagles about 50 times in recent years both on nature walks and while driving around.

He said, “It really elevates your day to see a bald eagle."

I'm Anna Matteo.

Mike Catalini reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

symbol -n. something that stands for something else, especially: something real that stands for or suggests another thing that cannot in itself be pictured or shown

seal -n. a device (as an emblem¹², symbol, or word) used to identify or replace a signature and to authenticate¹³ (as at common law) written matter

insignia -n. a badge of authority or honor

species -n. a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name

raptor -n. a carnivorous medium- to large-sized bird (such as a hawk¹⁴, eagle, owl¹⁵, or vulture) that has a hooked beak¹⁶ and large sharp talons¹⁷ and that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion¹⁸

nest -n. a place or structure where eggs are laid and hatched or young are raised : nesting -adj.

pair -n. two things that match or are meant to be used together

habitat -n. the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

prey -n. an animal hunted or killed by another animal for food

elevate -v. to improve the mind or spirits of

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。

3 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

4 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

5 bug   

n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器

参考例句：

• There is a bug in the system.系统出了故障。
• The bird caught a bug on the fly.那鸟在飞行中捉住了一只昆虫。

6 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

7 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

8 dense   

a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的

参考例句：

• The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
• The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。

9 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

10 influenza   

n.流行性感冒，流感

参考例句：

• They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.他们采取措施
• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。

11 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

12 emblem   

n.象征，标志；徽章

参考例句：

• Her shirt has the company emblem on it.她的衬衫印有公司的标记。
• The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.鹰是力量和勇气的象征。

13 authenticate   

vt.证明…为真，鉴定

参考例句：

• We would have to authenticate your relationship with the boy.我们必须证实一下您和那个孩子的关系。
• An expert was needed to authenticate the original Van Gogh painting from his imitation.这幅画是凡·高的真迹还是赝品,需由专家来鉴定。

14 hawk   

n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员

参考例句：

• The hawk swooped down on the rabbit and killed it.鹰猛地朝兔子扑下来,并把它杀死。
• The hawk snatched the chicken and flew away.老鹰叼了小鸡就飞走了。

15 owl   

n.猫头鹰，枭

参考例句：

• Her new glasses make her look like an owl.她的新眼镜让她看上去像只猫头鹰。
• I'm a night owl and seldom go to bed until after midnight.我睡得很晚，经常半夜后才睡觉。

16 beak   

n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻

参考例句：

• The bird had a worm in its beak.鸟儿嘴里叼着一条虫。
• This bird employs its beak as a weapon.这种鸟用嘴作武器。

17 talons   

n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部

参考例句：

• The fingers were curved like talons, but they closed on empty air. 他的指头弯得像鹰爪一样，可是抓了个空。 来自英汉文学 - 热爱生命
• The tiger has a pair of talons. 老虎有一对利爪。 来自辞典例句

18 carrion   

n.腐肉

参考例句：

• A crow of bloodthirsty ants is attracted by the carrion.一群嗜血的蚂蚁被腐肉所吸引。
• Vultures usually feed on carrion or roadkill.兀鹫通常以腐肉和公路上的死伤动物为食。