Poland is a country with a rich history and culture. They currently have two national animals:
- White-tailed eagle (national bird)
- European Bison (national animal)
White-Tailed Eagle
The White Eagle is a medieval Polish coat of arms symbol as well as that of other Eastern and Central European countries. The eagle was on the old Kingdom’s banner and appears on the country’s seal today. It represents power and authority.
It was used since at least the 11th or 10th century by the Duchy and later Kingdom of Poland.
The white-tailed eagle is a massive, magnificent raptor that is larger than the golden eagle. Adults have a white, wedge-shaped tail and an ivory head with a yellow beak. They are more common along the coast than the golden eagle.
A white-tailed eagle’s hunting grounds may cover a distance of up to 70 square kilometers. Each year, white-tailed eagles pair in the same territory and reproduce there.
European Bison
One of its most iconic symbols is the European bison, which is also the national animal of Poland. The European bison is a large mammal that can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall at the shoulder.
The name for the European Bison in this country is Żubr and Wisent in English.
It is one of the few surviving Białowieża Forest bison species, which is one of Europe’s last primeval woodlands.
Despite not being depicted in the coat of arms, the Żubr is also a national symbol and national animal of Poland. Since 1778, it has been the logo and name of one of Poland’s most successful beer brands.
In July 2022, a small herd of European Bison were reintroduced into the UK after thousands of years as part of a rewilding project.
What about the White Stork?
From what I can gather from my research the Stork is more of a regional symbol of Poland, particularly in the East of the country.
It’s a beautiful white bird that can have a wingspan of up to 11 feet! The stork has been revered in Poland for centuries and is seen as a bringer of good luck, especially when it comes to fertility and childbirth.
Storks are considered lucky birds in Poland and are treated with great respect.