Source: Tom Brakefield / Getty

The Bald Eagle Officially Becomes the National Bird of the United States

This week, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.

While the bald eagle has long been an iconic emblem of America, appearing on the Great Seal since 1782 and gracing everything from military insignias to currency, it has never held the formal title of “national bird”—until now.

The move comes as a gesture of both cultural celebration and historical relevance and reflects decades of effort to protect the majestic species.

The bald eagle, with its striking white head, piercing yellow eyes, and powerful wingspan, has embodied the ideals of independence, strength, and freedom for more than two centuries. (see below)

It was first introduced as a national symbol through the Great Seal, where it stands clutching an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, representing both peace and a readiness to defend.

Yet, for all its prominence on stamps, quarters, and official emblems, the bird had only been recognized as the national emblem—not the national bird.

The bipartisan bill, championed by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Brad Finstad, ensures that the bald eagle receives its rightful title as a symbol deeply rooted in American identity.

Both lawmakers emphasized the significance of the bird not only in American history but in its ongoing representation of the nation’s values.

The bald eagle’s path to becoming a thriving symbol of the country was far from smooth.

By the mid-20th century, the species faced extinction due to habitat destruction, pollution, and heavy use of pesticides like DDT.

The situation grew so dire that in 1940, Congress passed the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, making it illegal to harm or trade bald eagles.

These protective measures, along with the 1972 ban on DDT, sparked a remarkable comeback for the bird.

By 1995, the bald eagle was moved from the endangered species list to the less-severe “threatened” designation.

Finally, in 2007, it was removed from the list altogether, marking a significant victory for conservation efforts.

Today, bald eagle populations are flourishing, with an estimated 315,000 individuals recorded in the contiguous United States in 2019—more than quadruple their numbers just a decade earlier.

Alaska alone now boasts the most robust population of these birds, though they can be found in nearly every state, including South Carolina, where conservation measures continue to protect nearly 500 bald eagle nests.

The formal recognition of the bald eagle as the national bird brings it into the same ranks as other cherished symbols of the United States, like the bison, which became the national mammal in 2016, and the oak tree, designated as the national tree in 2004.

It also highlights the enduring bipartisan unity that can still be found in protecting and celebrating the symbols that unite the country.