Native American Headdress. In the past they were sometimes worn into battle, but most often worn for ceremonial occasions as is the case today. They are seen as items of great spiritual & magical importance. The eagle is considered by Plains tribes as the greatest & most powerful of all birds, and thus the finest bonnets were made out of its feathers. Its beauty was considered of secondary importance; the bonnet's real value was in its supposed power to protect the wearer.