Bald Eagle Set to Become America’s Official National Bird
The bald eagle has adorned America’s Great Seal since 1782, yet it has never officially become the national bird of the United States. This majestic raptor symbolizes American freedom and strength worldwide and now stands ready for a historic milestone. Congress has initiated steps to formally designate the bald eagle as America’s official national bird through federal law.
The bald eagle’s experience as America’s symbolic bird extends across nearly two and a half centuries. The Continental Congress selected this magnificent creature, and its image appears on official seals, currency, and government buildings. The bald eagle’s national bird designation has remained traditional rather than legal. This generational oversight in American history will soon end as bipartisan legislation moves through Congress to grant this iconic species its well-deserved official recognition.
Historical Journey to Official Recognition
The story of America’s most recognized bird started in 1782 when Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson completed the Great Seal’s design. Three committees failed to create an acceptable design before Thomson combined elements from various proposals and placed an eagle at the center.
Rise as America’s Unofficial Symbol
Notable Founding Fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, participated in the selection process but struggled to agree on a suitable design. Thomson’s final version showed the bald eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows that symbolized the powers of peace and war. Congressional approval came on June 20, 1782, which marked the beginning of the bald eagle’s unofficial reign as America’s national symbol.
Previous Legislative Attempts
National Archives researchers made a surprising discovery: no legislation or presidential proclamation had ever officially named the bald eagle as America’s national bird. The United States recognizes the rose as its national flower, the oak as its national tree, and the bison as its national mammal, yet the bald eagle’s status remained unofficial.
Role in American Identity Formation
The bald eagle’s imagery became woven into American institutions:
- Featured on official documents and currency
- Displayed on government buildings and military insignia
- Incorporated into state flags and seals
- Used across federal departments and agencies
Native American communities have long held the eagle sacred and integrated it into their spiritual practices, ceremonies, and traditions. The bird’s presence in American culture goes beyond government use and appears on everything from stamps to sports team logos, which shows its deep effect on national identity.
Legislative Breakthrough in 2024
Congress has passed legislation to officially designate the bald eagle as America’s national bird. This historic move addresses a centuries-old oversight in federal law. The bipartisan initiative costs nothing to taxpayers and marks one of the most important milestones in American symbolism.
Bipartisan Support and Process
Both chambers of Congress unanimously supported the legislation. The Senate passed the bill in July 2024, and the House followed with their approval in December. Preston Cook, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative, found through his research that no formal designation existed. He then worked with the National Eagle Center to draft the legislation.
Key Congressional Champions
Minnesota lawmakers led the charge for this historic designation:
- Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith spearheaded the Senate effort
- Representative Brad Finstad introduced the House version
- Senators Cynthia Lummis and Markwayne Mullin joined as the core co-sponsors
Timeline to Official Status
The Senate introduced the bill in June 2024. After unanimous Senate approval in July, the House passed it by voice vote under suspension of the rules in December. President Biden’s signature will make it law and formally amend Title 36 of the United States Code.
The legislation recognizes the bald eagle’s unique status as a bird native to North America. Thousands of federal government branches, departments, and agency insignias already feature this majestic bird. This formal designation places the bald eagle among other official national symbols, such as the rose as the national flower and the oak as the national tree.
Conservation Success Story
The bald eagle’s recovery stands as one of the most remarkable wildlife success stories in conservation history. By 1963, these majestic birds were almost gone – only 417 breeding pairs remained in the lower 48 states.
From Endangered to Thriving
DDT use after World War II, habitat destruction, and illegal hunting pushed these birds to the edge of extinction. The Environmental Protection Agency banned DDT in 1972, and the bird gained protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1978. These actions sparked its journey to recovery.
Population Recovery Statistics
The numbers today tell an amazing story. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has counted 316,700 bald eagles in the lower 48 states, with 71,467 breeding pairs. This shows a dramatic rise from 2009’s count of 72,434 birds.
Protection Measures Effect
Several key measures helped the bald eagle bounce back:
- The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
- The Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Habitat preservation initiatives
- Captive breeding programs
- Public awareness campaigns
These efforts worked so well that by 2007, the bald eagle no longer needed endangered species protection. The bird still enjoys federal protection under multiple laws that keep its population stable for future generations. Americans can now spot these magnificent creatures easily across the country, experiencing their national symbol’s grandeur firsthand.
Cultural and Symbolic Significance
Bald eagles mean much more to America than just a government symbol. These majestic birds have become part of American traditions and beliefs. Native American nations see them as sacred beings that connect humans with the Creator.
Native American Perspectives
Native American tribes see eagles as divine messengers and use their feathers in their most important ceremonies. Eagle feathers symbolize courage, wisdom, and strength during religious rituals. The National Eagle Repository, 50 years old, distributes eagle feathers to Native American tribes for ceremonial use. Tribes often wait months or even years to receive their requests.
Military and Government Usage
You’ll find the bald eagle’s image in many federal institutions:
- Presidential and Supreme Court seals
- Departments of Defense, Commerce, Justice, and Labor
- CIA, Social Security Administration, and Library of Congress
The Great Seal shows this proud bird clutching an olive branch and arrows. This symbolizes America’s wish for peace while staying ready to defend itself. Space exploration adopted this symbol too. Apollo 11’s lunar module got its name “Eagle” and displayed a bald eagle landing on the moon.
Popular Culture Representation
Bald eagles have shaped American identity well beyond official settings. Six states—Alabama, Illinois, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah—proudly display the eagle on their flags or seals. Political cartoonists often use this bird to represent the nation. Americans value its protection so much that hurting the national bird feels as wrong as disrespecting the American flag.
This landmark legislation represents a pivotal moment in American history that gives official recognition to a symbol representing the nation’s spirit for over two centuries. The bald eagle’s experience from near extinction to a thriving population reflects America’s story of resilience and determination. Conservation efforts have helped the species rebound from 417 breeding pairs to more than 71,000. Now future generations can witness this majestic bird soar across American skies.
The bald eagle’s designation as America’s national bird recognizes its deep-rooted importance in Native American traditions and its role in modern American identity. This magnificent bird appears on government seals and currency as evidence of freedom, strength, and unity that shape the American spirit. Such official recognition will preserve a legacy that started with the nation’s founding and secure the bald eagle’s place as a powerful symbol of American democracy for centuries ahead.
