American Eagle

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This statue was painted by the art teacher, Dawn Hinck, and her students. The wings are painted green – see the school’s colors.  Using the theme of inclusion, every student in the school was able to add a swish of color on the design representing feathers on the base

Visit the school’s webpage at https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/o/englewood

Adult Bald Eagles, species named Haliaeetus leucocephalus, are not bald. They are easily recognized by their white head and tail feathers. Juveniles have dark brown heads. These large birds can have a wingspan of 6-8 feet. 

They are opportunistic hunters and can swoop down and eat hatchling sea turtles but their primary prey includes many fish, which they snatch from the water with the claws on their feet called talons. They sometimes steal fish from Osprey.  

Protected legally, eagles are often told as a success story of the Endangered Species Act (1973) and the banning of pesticide DDT, a chemical pollutant that accumulated in their bodies.  They were removed from the endangered species list in 2007.

Symbolizing strength, courage and freedom, they have been our National Emblem on U.S. documents since 1782, and they were officially named the National Bird of the United States in 2024