Washington, D.C. – In a historic move, the bald eagle has been officially declared the national bird of the United States. President Joe Biden signed the legislation on Christmas Eve, marking the end of a 250-year-long unofficial status.
The bald eagle, known for its white head and yellow beak, has long been a symbol of the nation, appearing on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. However, it has never been officially designated as the national bird until now.
The legislation was spearheaded by Minnesota lawmakers, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, who highlighted the state’s significant bald eagle population. The bill passed through Congress quickly and was one of 50 pieces of legislation signed into law by President Biden on Christmas Eve.
Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, expressed his excitement: “For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn’t. But now the title is official, and no bird deserves more.”
Despite its long-standing status as a national emblem, the bald eagle had faced opposition from some founding figures, including Benjamin Franklin, who called it a “bird of bad moral character.” However, most of Congress and the public have always seen the bald eagle as a symbol of strength, courage, freedom, and immortality.
The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, making selling or hunting the bird illegal. Conservation efforts have led to a significant increase in the bald eagle population since 2009, when the species was once on the brink of extinction.
With this new official designation, the bald eagle joins other national symbols such as the North American bison (national mammal), the oak tree (national tree), and the rose (national floral emblem).
The confirmation of the bald eagle as the national bird is a testament to the nation’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and honoring a symbol that has represented the United States for centuries.