Why does the American bald eagle face left (from the viewer's perspective)?

Why does the American bald eagle face left (from the viewer’s perspective)? It appears to be looking west. Does this have anything to do with early American aspirations to settle westward. I haven’t been able to find a satisfactory answer.
I look forward to your feedback.
davidmich

This perhaps answers my question.

The eagle has its head turned towards the olive branch, symbolizing a preference for peace.

A preference for peace? That’s hilarious.

Moderator Note

Reply, political jabs are not permitted in GQ. No warning issued, but don’t do this again.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

That counts as a political jab? All right, I’ll be more careful in the future.

Heraldic animals tend to face towards the viewer’s left because that way they would face forward if the shield from a traditional coat of arms was a real one, worn on the left arm.

For basically the same reason animals on flags tend to face the hoist, i.e. left in the default depiction.

Is it the same reason that all the presidents on American coins face left? (Except for Lincoln, that rebel.)

I think they’re all just showing their “best side.”

It is still an arbitrary direction as it just begs the question - why then are the olive branches held in that talon? Is there an intended symbolic meaning to which talon holds which?

Nah. It is just the traditional position of animal profiles in heraldry.

That “nah” may be overstated. The direction that the eagle looks is just the traditional position of eagles in heraldry, but the olive branch in the right talon may still have an intended meaning of a preference for peace as the bearers right side (dexter) is generally considered the side of greater power and significance in heraldry.

Thank you all. Very helpful.
davidmich