On Christmas Eve, President Joe Biden signed a bill officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. The legislation, which passed through Congress with unanimous support, amends Title 36 of the United States Code, elevating the majestic bird to a formal symbol of national pride.
Although the bald eagle has long been a central figure in American iconography, it was never officially recognized as the nation’s bird. Since its appearance on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, the bald eagle has served as the national emblem, appearing on a variety of official symbols, including military insignia, presidential flags, and U.S. currency. Despite its prominent status, the bird had not previously been given the legal designation of “national bird.”
The newly signed bill rectifies this omission, cementing the bald eagle’s place in the country’s pantheon of national symbols. “The bald eagle is a symbol of strength, resilience, and freedom,” the White House stated in its announcement of the bill’s signing. The bird’s iconic status, bolstered by its role in U.S. military insignia and its protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, reflects its deep association with American values.
The bill had the support of key lawmakers, including Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Tina Smith (D-MN), as well as Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Tom Emmer (R-MN). “Thank you to these members of Congress for their leadership in helping to formally honor this majestic bird,” the White House said in its statement.
The bill’s passage also comes amid ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the bald eagle, which faced near extinction in the 20th century due to hunting, habitat destruction, and the effects of pesticides like DDT. Since then, significant conservation efforts have helped restore the bald eagle population, and today the bird is no longer listed as endangered.
Notably, a prior document published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had incorrectly referred to the bald eagle as the national bird. This new legislation ensures that the title is now formally acknowledged, aligning the law with the nation’s long-standing visual and symbolic representation.
