The Postal Service dedicated its Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult stamps in a May 14 ceremony at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN.
The five stamps feature realistic illustrations of the bird at different stages of life
“Watching a bald eagle hunt is like watching an elite athlete. Once you’ve seen that display of agility and grace in the wild, you will never forget it,” said Daniel M. Tangherlini, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, who spoke at the event.
“It’s why the bald eagle has served as a symbol of our nation since the beginning and why it has long represented ideals like freedom, courage and strength,” he said.
Congress adopted the bald eagle as America’s national symbol in 1782, and it is the centerpiece of the nation’s great seal. The eagle also appears on the USPS logo and on currency, military insignia, and countless buildings, flags, and commercial products across the country.
Bald eagles are also important to many Native American cultures. Eagle feathers have been used in cultural and religious ceremonies for thousands of years, and eagles are the focus of many Native legends.
Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using original paintings by ornithologist and illustrator David Allen Sibley.
“While the bald eagle is known to virtually all Americans as our national bird, few people know much about them,” Sibley said. “I hope these stamps spark curiosity and a greater appreciation for the lives of eagles.”
The stamps are available in sheets of 20 at Post Offices and at usps.com.
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