National Eagle Center

Tail feathers assist with steering and balance, not unlike the rudder of a boat or airplane. Each and every one of these feathers plays a crucial role in the dramatic aerial displays we so enjoy from Bald eagles, and every other kind of bird too!
Photo: Amber March

Secondary feathers make up the remaining flight feathers on the wings and they are largely responsible for generating the lift that keeps the birds in the air. Secondaries are anchored to the bones of the wing via ligaments, unlike most other feathers that attach to the skin.
Photo: Aaron Bitner

Eagles have over 7,000 feathers! They have 3 sections of flight feathers: primary, secondary, and tail. The primary feather is the "finger" area which are responsible for the thrust that gets the bird in the air. Stay tuned to learn about secondary and tail feathers!
Photo: Earl Bye

We are proud to start off the 2025 year with officially designating the Bald Eagle as our Country's National Bird! This is all possible because of Preston Cook's efforts! Learn more on our website! www.nationaleaglecenter.org/national-bir...