The bald eagle was officially recognized as the national bird of the United States after President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on Tuesday.
Despite its prominent presence on the Great Seal of the United States, the country has not officially designated a national bird in its 248-year history.
The legislation, passed unanimously in the Senate and House, marks the culmination of efforts to codify the bird’s status.
Although the bald eagle has symbolized the nation since 1782, when it was listed on the Great Seal, no law had formally established it as a national bird.
The Great Seal, approved by Continental Congress Undersecretary Charles Thomson, depicts the eagle with a shield, olive branch, and arrows, symbolizing peace and preparation for war.
However, during the founding era, there was debate over the suitability of the bird. Benjamin Franklin criticized the bald eagle in a letter, describing it as a bird of “bad morals.”
The drive to officially recognize the bald eagle gained momentum through the efforts of Preston Cook, a Minnesota resident, who authored a bill proposing the change. Cook, a lifelong interest in the bald eagle, discovered the lack of an official designation and advocated for the correction.
His proposal was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and supported by a bipartisan coalition.
Cook said he was pleased with the legislative outcome, describing it as a necessary historical correction. “This is not about changing anything, but ensuring that history reflects what is already widely recognized,” he said.
The bald eagle, scientifically known as Haliaeetus leucocephalus, now occupies its official place as the national bird of the United States.
