The national animal of Germany is the eagle, depicted in its official form as the Bundesadler (Federal Eagle) — a black heraldic eagle with a red beak and talons on a golden field. While the Bundesadler is a stylized symbol rather than a single biological species, the wild bird most closely associated with it is the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which still soars over the Bavarian Alps. The eagle has represented German and earlier Germanic sovereignty for well over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously used national emblems in Europe.
The Bundesadler: Germany's Official Eagle
The Bundesadler is Germany's coat of arms and the centerpiece of its national identity. It shows a single-headed black eagle facing the viewer's left (the heraldic right), wings outstretched, with a red beak, red tongue, and red talons set against a gold background. This colour scheme — black, red, and gold — mirrors the national flag and reaches back to medieval heraldic tradition.
Unlike many national animals chosen for the wildlife of a region, the German eagle is primarily a heraldic creature. Its form has been redrawn many times over the centuries, with each era producing its own artistic interpretation while preserving the essential motif of a powerful raptor in flight. The version Germans see today on passports, coins, and government buildings was designed by the artist Ludwig Gies in 1950.
Roman Roots and the Holy Roman Empire
The eagle's association with Germanic rulers stretches back to the Roman period, when the eagle (the aquila) was the standard carried by Roman legions and a symbol of imperial power. When Charlemagne was crowned in 800 and revived the idea of a Western empire, he and his successors adopted the eagle to signal that they were heirs to Rome.
Throughout the Middle Ages the eagle became the emblem of the Holy Roman Empire. From the 15th century onward this was often shown as a double-headed eagle, the two heads representing authority over both the eastern and western halves of the empire and over spiritual and secular power. Countless German cities, princely states, and bishoprics placed eagles in their own coats of arms, a heritage still visible today.
From Empire to Federal Republic
When Otto von Bismarck helped unify the German states into the German Empire in 1871, the eagle was the natural choice for the new nation's emblem. The Weimar Republic kept the eagle after 1919, deliberately simplifying it to break with imperial grandeur. The symbol survived the upheavals of the 20th century, and after World War II the Federal Republic of Germany readopted it.
The 1950 redesign by Ludwig Gies gave the bird a rounded, almost plump silhouette. The large eagle relief that hangs in the Bundestag (the German parliament) behind the speaker's podium is so generously proportioned that Germans affectionately nickname it the fette Henne, or "fat hen." Despite the teasing, it remains a serious and respected national symbol.
The Golden Eagle in the Wild
The living bird most often linked to the emblem is the Golden Eagle, a magnificent raptor with a wingspan that can reach roughly 2.3 metres and a weight of up to about 6.4 kilograms. In Germany it survives chiefly in the mountainous south, particularly the Bavarian Alps, where roughly 50 breeding pairs are thought to hold territory.
Golden Eagles are protected under European Union environmental law, and Germany monitors their numbers as part of wider pan-European conservation efforts for birds of prey. The population is small but considered stable. The main pressures on these eagles include disturbance from alpine tourism, collisions with cables and other infrastructure, and the limited amount of suitable high-mountain habitat available within the country's borders.
The Eagle in Everyday German Life
The eagle is impossible to avoid in Germany. It appears on the national coat of arms, official government documents, military insignia, and the reverse of German euro coins. Sports fans know it best from the crest worn by the German national football team, one of the most successful sides in the history of the World Cup. The same motif decorates the badges of numerous regional teams and institutions.
Neighbouring Austria also features an eagle in its national emblem, a reflection of the two countries' shared roots in the Holy Roman Empire. To explore more about the country behind the symbol, see our germany country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national animal of Germany?
Germany's national animal is the eagle, officially represented by the Bundesadler (Federal Eagle), a black heraldic eagle on a gold background. The Golden Eagle is the wild species most associated with it.
Why is the eagle Germany's symbol?
The eagle was inherited from Roman imperial tradition, adopted by Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire, and carried forward by every later German state, making it a symbol of sovereignty and continuity.
What does the German eagle look like?
It is a single-headed black eagle with wings spread, shown with a red beak, tongue, and talons against a golden field. The current official design was created by Ludwig Gies in 1950.
Are there real eagles living in Germany?
Yes. Golden Eagles nest in the Bavarian Alps, with around 50 breeding pairs, while White-tailed Eagles have recovered in northern and eastern Germany. Both species are legally protected.