The bald eagle has been officially recognized as the national bird of the United States, following the signing of a new law by President Joe Biden on Christmas Eve. The white-headed,
yellow-beaked bird of prey has long served as a symbol of the nation, featuring on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. However, until now, it had not been formally designated as the national bird.
The milestone legislation was passed by Congress last week and sent to the President for his approval. "For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," said Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative at the National Eagle Center, in a statement. "Now, the title is official, and no bird is more deserving."
The iconic eagle, depicted on the Great Seal clutching a flag-adorned shield with an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other, is familiar to most Americans. Despite its widespread recognition, the bird’s role as a national symbol was not without controversy. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin famously criticized the bald eagle, describing it as a "bird of bad moral character."
Yet Franklin’s views were not widely shared. Bald eagles have long been associated with qualities such as strength, courage, freedom, and immortality, according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Additionally, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle is indigenous to North America, further cementing its status as a uniquely American symbol.
The push to officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird was led by lawmakers from Minnesota, a state with one of the largest bald eagle populations in the country, according to Senator Amy Klobuchar. The species is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which prohibits the hunting or sale of bald eagles.
Once on the brink of extinction, the bald eagle population has seen a remarkable recovery since 2009. This resurgence highlights the importance of conservation efforts that have ensured the bird's survival and continued symbolism for the nation.
The bald eagle bill was among 50 pieces of legislation signed into law by President Biden on Christmas Eve. Other measures included a federal anti-hazing law aimed at addressing violence and deaths on university campuses. Photo by Carl Chapman from Phoenix, usa, Wikimedia commons.
