Albania’s national flag has a black double-headed eagle on a red field.
The eagle is associated with the medieval Albanian nobleman Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg, whose banner and seal used a similar emblem. The two heads are commonly linked with the eagle symbol of the Byzantine world, although interpretations of the design’s meaning vary across historical periods.
Albania’s flag was formally adopted as the national flag on April 17, 1992, after the fall of the communist regime, though the red field and black eagle have much older roots. Albanian national movements used the emblem prominently during the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Montenegro’s flag also features a double-headed eagle, which is why the two designs are often confused. Montenegro’s emblem is much more elaborate and includes a crown, shield and lion, whereas Albania’s flag presents a simple black eagle without a surrounding coat of arms.