Cornell Lab of Orinthology notes that, "Had Benjamin Franklin prevailed, the U.S. emblem might have been the Wild Turkey. In 1784, Franklin disparaged the national bird’s thieving tendencies and its vulnerability to harassment by small birds. "For my own part,” he wrote, “I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. … Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District.”"

"Rather than do their own fishing, Bald Eagles often go after other creatures’ catches. A Bald Eagle will harass a hunting Osprey until the smaller raptor drops its prey in midair, where the eagle swoops it up. A Bald Eagle may even snatch a fish directly out of an Osprey’s talons. Fishing mammals (even people sometimes) can also lose prey to Bald Eagle piracy." Source: Cornell Lab of Orinthology

The North American Common Gallinule is also called the Florida Gallinule, the Common Moorhen, and the Marsh Hen. In the spring, both parents incubate and feed the young. Young chicks have small spurs on their wings that allow them to climb through or cling to vegetation. If threatened, the chicks can cling to the parent's body, allowing the parent to fly to safety, carrying the young along. This bird was photographed near Bird City's observation platform in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens. Sources: Wikipedia and Tennessee Watchable Wildlife/Common Gallinule, http://www.tnwatachablewildlife.org edit