On Independence Day the bald eagle, our national bird, is front and center in many of our celebrations.
What are the national birds of other countries? Here are just a few.
Canada: Canada Jay formerly called the Gray Jay until 2018.
Though it’s awaiting official approval, Canadians voted in 2016 to make the Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) their national bird. Canada jays are found in Minnesota, too, where Jessica Botzan photographed this one.
United Kingdom: Robin, or the European Robin
The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small bird that’s especially loved in Britain because he’s relatively unafraid of people. The robin is known to hop next to gardeners as they dig the soil so he can look for newly exposed insects.
Finland: Whooper Swan, Laulujoutsen in Finnish
Pronounced “hooper,” the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) ranges from Iceland to the Kamchatka peninsula. Larger than our tundra swan, it’s a majestic bird that breeds in Finland and northern Eurasia.
Mexico, Afghanistan, Albania, Germany (unofficial) and Scotland (unofficial): Golden Eagle
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a powerful bird of prey that can bring down a deer with his talons. His range extends across the northern hemisphere, including North and Central America and Eurasia. His majestic power makes him a potent symbol for many countries.
(photo credits:
bald eagle by Dana Nesiti, Eagles of Hays PA on Facebook
gray jay by Jessica Botzan
European robin and whooper swan from Wikimedia Commons; click in the images to see the originals
golden eagle by Michael Lanzone)
Interesting. The Golden Eagle must be powerful
Yes, the European robin and the American robin are very different birds.
Every time I watch Mary Poppins & see the robins in “Spoonful of Sugar,” I want to yell at the screen, “Wrong robin!”