Haliaeetus

/ˌhæliˈiːtəs/ noun

Definition

The taxonomic genus that includes sea eagles, particularly the bald eagle and white-tailed eagle.

Etymology

From Greek 'hali-' (sea) and 'aietos' (eagle). The genus name literally means 'sea eagle' and was formally established in taxonomy in the 18th century.

Kelly Says

The bald eagle belongs to Haliaeetus leucocephalus—meaning 'white-headed sea eagle.' Taxonomists loved combining Greek elements to create names that literally describe the animal, making scientific names little poems in Latin and Greek.

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