Bald eagle finally recognised as America's national bird after 250 years

The bald eagle has been formally recognized as the national bird of the United States after President Joe Biden signed a bill on Tuesday.

Despite its prominent presence in the Great Seal of the United States, the country had not officially designated a national bird in its 248-year history.

The legislation, which passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House, marks the culmination of efforts to codify the bird’s status.

While the bald eagle has symbolized the nation since 1782, when it was included in the Great Seal, no law had formally established it as the national bird.

The Great Seal, approved under Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson, depicts the eagle with a shield, olive branch, and arrows, symbolizing peace and preparedness for war.

However, during the founding era, there was debate about the bird's suitability. Benjamin Franklin famously criticized the bald eagle in a letter, describing it as a bird of "bad moral character."

The push to officially recognize the bald eagle gained momentum through the efforts of Minnesota resident Preston Cook, who drafted a bill proposing the change. Cook, who has a lifelong interest in the bald eagle, discovered the absence of a formal designation and advocated for the correction.

His proposal was introduced to the Senate by Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and supported by a bipartisan coalition.

Cook expressed satisfaction with the legislative outcome, describing it as a necessary historical correction. "This is not about changing anything, but ensuring history reflects what is already widely recognized," he said.

The bald eagle, scientifically known as Haliaeetus leucocephalus, now holds its official place as the United States’ national bird.