The U.S. Postal Service released a set of stamps honoring the national bird, the bald eagle, at the National Eagle Center. The new release features five realistic illustrations of bald eagles at different stages of life by noted ornithologist David Allen Sibley.
“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 USPS board member who served as the stamps’ dedicating official. “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.”
On June 20, 1782, an act of Congress officially established the bald eagle as a national symbol when it put its image on the Great Seal of the United States, which is used to authenticate formal government documents. Congress chose the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is native to North America, to embody American ideals such as freedom, courage, strength and power.
On the seal, a bald eagle is shown sporting a shield on its breast, with 13 red and white stripes representing the 13 original Colonies. A bald eagle also appears in the logo for the U.S. Postal Service and on currency and military insignia, as well as on 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 Sibley.
“Eagles are fascinating birds and worthy of our attention,” Noyes said. “Once endangered by pesticides and hunting, with conservation they have made a huge comeback. I’m delighted to shed some light on these amazing birds in all their glory.”
The stamp project is Sibley’s first for the U.S. Postal Service.
“While the bald eagle is known to virtually all Americans as our national bird, few people know much about them,” Sibley said. “Showing the series of life stages in these stamps is a simple, visual way to emphasize that the familiar adult eagle has already lived for at least four years — through a series of transitional plumages — finding food, migrating and surviving all of life’s challenges. I hope these stamps spark curiosity and a greater appreciation for the lives of eagles.”
The Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult stamps are available in panes of 20. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #BaldEagleStamps.
For Southern Maryland residents, the new stamps hold special meaning. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties are prime bald eagle habitat. The region supports one of the strongest recovering populations on the East Coast, with nests visible along the Potomac River, Patuxent River and many local creeks. Conservation efforts by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local organizations have helped the species rebound from near-extinction in the mid-20th century.
Local families and birdwatchers frequently spot bald eagles soaring over the water or perched in tall trees near the bay. The birds’ return is often cited as a success story for the Chesapeake Bay restoration initiatives that also benefit fishing, tourism and quality of life in the tri-county area.
The stamps provide a new way for Southern Maryland residents to celebrate this iconic symbol while supporting the U.S. Postal Service. Collectors and nature enthusiasts can purchase the panes at local post offices or online.
The release coincides with ongoing public interest in wildlife conservation across Southern Maryland. Community events, nature centers and school programs often highlight the bald eagle’s role in the region’s natural heritage.
