America's Bird: Meet the Bald Eagles at Houston Zoo

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the nation celebrates America's 250th anniversary, visitors to the Houston Zoo can get an up-close look at one of the country's most iconic symbols, the bald eagle.

There are two female bald eagles at the Houston Zoo: Sally and Mae. They are named after the trailblazing astronauts Sally Ride and Mae Jemison.

According to the Zoo's birdkeeper, Steve Howard, Sally was found on the side of a road, probably after being hit by a car. Her injuries meant she could no longer fly, so she could not be released. Mae was found during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, after she had likely flown into a building. Like Sally, her injuries meant she could never go back to the wild.

While neither eagle can fly, both serve an important purpose as ambassadors for their species at the Houston Zoo, helping educate visitors about wildlife conservation and the challenges bald eagles can face.

"They are much larger when you see them in person than you would expect," Howard said. "I would hope people come to see them and love them as much as I do."

In the video above, hear from Howard as we explore what makes bald eagles so extraordinary, from their incredible eyesight to their impressive wingspan.