The bald eagle, the national bird of the USA, is the only eagle unique to North America. At one time, the word "bald" meant "white," not hairless. Bald eagles are found throughout most of North America, from Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico.

About half of the world's 70,000 bald eagles live in Alaska. They flourish here in part because of the salmon. Dead or dying fish are an important food source for all bald eagles.