Special Poll
The Bald Eagle Officially Declared America’s National Bird
After nearly 250 years of symbolism, the bald eagle is now officially recognized as the national bird of the United States. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law this week, making it an official emblem of the nation on Christmas Eve.
A Long-Standing Symbol of the U.S.
The bald eagle has represented the strength and freedom of America since its founding. It is prominently featured on the Great Seal of the United States, the president’s flag, the mace of the House of Representatives, military insignias, and even the $1 bill. However, despite its iconic status, it was never officially designated as the national bird—until now.
This delay might stem from the debates among the Founding Fathers over which bird best represented the nation. Benjamin Franklin famously opposed the bald eagle, calling it a “bird of bad moral character” in a letter to his daughter. He preferred the turkey, which he considered a more “respectable” and native bird. Despite Franklin’s objections, the bald eagle was added to the Great Seal and became an enduring American symbol, even if not officially the national bird—until this legislation was signed.
Protecting the Bald Eagle
Native to North America, bald eagles faced severe threats in the 20th century. Habitat destruction, pesticide use, and hunting drove their population to dangerously low levels, with numbers plummeting to fewer than 500 nesting pairs in the mid-1900s. Conservation efforts, including the Bald Eagle Protection Act and the banning of harmful pesticides like DDT, have since helped the population rebound to over 316,000 birds as of 2019.
The Journey to Recognition
The bill to designate the bald eagle as the national bird was championed by Minnesota resident Preston Cook. Shocked to discover the eagle had never been officially named the U.S. bird, Cook drafted the bill and worked with lawmakers to correct this historical oversight. Senator Amy Klobuchar led a bipartisan effort in the Senate, where the bill passed unanimously. The House of Representatives quickly followed suit, and the bill reached President Biden’s desk for his signature this week.
Why This Matters
The official recognition of the bald eagle is a symbolic correction that honors its role in representing the nation’s identity. As Preston Cook explained, “It’s just a correction in history to make things the way they should be.”
For many Americans, this news has been a surprising revelation. Josette Caruso, echoing the sentiment of countless others, remarked on social media, “I thought the bald eagle was already the official American bird symbol—didn’t you?”
Now, as the bald eagle soars into its rightful place as the official national bird, it stands as a reminder of America’s strength, resilience, and commitment to preserving its natural heritage.