Biden Signs Law Making Bald Eagle Official US National Bird

Facts

• US Pres. Joe Biden has signed legislation officially designating the bald eagle as America's national bird.^[1][2]
• Despite appearing on the Great Seal since 1782 and serving as a prominent national symbol throughout US history, the bald eagle was never formally designated as the national bird through legislation until this recent law.^[3]
• Minnesota resident Preston Cook discovered this oversight while conducting research for his book. He then initiated the legislative effort by drafting a bill that received unanimous support in both the Senate and House.^[4]
• The bald eagle population, which had declined to just 417 nesting pairs in 1963 due to DDT pesticide use, has now recovered to an estimated 316,700 birds, including 71,467 breeding pairs.^[2][5]
• The new legislation amends Title 36 of the United States Code, officially recognizing the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as the national bird without requiring any changes to existing symbols or documents.^[6][7]
• The bald eagle appears on numerous official items — including the Great Seal, presidential flag, and US currency — and is protected under multiple federal laws, including the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and the National Emblem Act.^[1][8]

Sources: ^[1]New York Post, ^[2]Newsweek, ^[3]NBC, ^[4]Washington Post, ^[5]CBS, ^[6]The Express Tribune, ^[7]FOX News and ^[8]BBC News.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by CBS and Roll Call. The bald eagle symbolically encompasses American values of strength, courage, and resilience, especially after having survived near extinction to make a remarkable recovery. The species, indigenous to North America, is a powerful symbol of the nation's heritage, and its population growth in recent decades reflects successful conservation efforts through government intervention.
• Narrative B, as provided by NFOP and The Franklin Institute.While the bald eagle has been a long standing national symbol, and the latest legislation is effectively just righting an administrative oversight, its position in US culture has always been contentious. Benjamin Franklin famously favored the turkey over bald eagles, which he observed lacked courage in their interactions with other species. This new law isn't as uncontroversial as it may seem.