The bald eagle has officially been declared the national bird of the United States after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve conferring the prestigious title on the iconic bird of prey with its distinctive white head and yellow beak.
The bald eagle has long been associated with the United States, serving as a national emblem and appearing on the Great Seal since 1782. However, it had never been officially recognized as the national bird until Congress passed the designation bill last week, which was then signed into law by President Biden.
“For nearly 250 years, we’ve referred to the bald eagle as the national bird, even though it wasn’t officially designated as such,” said Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. “Now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving.”
Despite its symbolic status, the bald eagle’s position as the nation’s representative has not always been universally embraced. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin famously criticized the choice, describing the bird as having “bad moral character.”
However, many others, including members of Congress at the time, celebrated the bald eagle as a powerful symbol of strength, freedom, courage, and immortality. Unlike other eagle species, the bald eagle is native exclusively to North America, further solidifying its connection to the United States.
The legislation to officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird was championed by Minnesota lawmakers. Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted her state’s role as home to one of the largest bald eagle populations in the country.
The bald eagle has been protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which prohibits hunting or selling the bird. Once endangered and on the brink of extinction, the bald eagle population has significantly rebounded since 2009.
The bald eagle bill was among 50 pieces of legislation signed into law by President Biden on Christmas Eve. Other laws included a federal anti-hazing measure aimed at reducing violence and deaths on university campuses.
This milestone cements the bald eagle’s place as a cherished and enduring symbol of the United States.
