The bald eagle officially becomes National Bird of the U.S., finally!

America’s most iconic bird—yes, the one on your money, your passports, and even RVs—has officially been named the National Bird of the United States. That’s right, the bald eagle just got the official recognition for a role it’s been carrying out for more than 240 years. (Talk about back pay!)

Early America

Picture this: It’s 1782. The Founding Fathers decide they need a national seal. After much debate—Benjamin Franklin allegedly thought a turkey was a better choice—our forebears slapped the bald eagle on the Great Seal and called it a day. And that was that… until now.

December 2024

Fast forward to December 24, 2024, when President Joe Biden made it official. With the swoosh of a pen, he finally put to rest the centuries-old oversight. He formally named the bald eagle as America’s National Bird.

Joint cooperation

This wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Lawmakers from both political parties joined forces to make it happen. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cynthia Lummis, along with Representatives Brad Finstad, Angie Craig, and Tom Emmer, championed the cause. It’s nice to know that in a time of political gridlock, everyone can agree on one thing: eagles are cool.

Now, the bald eagle is finally official. Once teetering on the edge of extinction, it clawed its way back thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Today, it’s not just surviving—it’s thriving.

Protection laws

Signed into law back in 1940, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was created to protect the eagle when it was facing some serious challenges. There was overwhelming eagle habitat loss and way too many people thinking it was okay to hunt the national bird for fun.

The Eagle Protection Act makes it crystal clear that bald and golden eagles are off-limits for any kind of interference. And by interference, we mean everything. No hunting, shooting, trapping, or even pestering them with your drone. The law also says you can’t mess with their nests or eggs.

If you break the rules

The penalties for breaking the Eagle Protection Act start at hefty fines—think thousands of dollars—and can go all the way up to jail time. And if you’re a repeat offender? Let’s just say you’ll have plenty of time to ponder your mistakes behind bars while the eagles soar freely above.

Special exceptions?

Not everyone is banned from touching eagle things. Indigenous peoples can apply for special permits to use eagle feathers and parts in traditional ceremonies. But random eagle enthusiasts? Don’t even consider it.

What’s next?

So, what’s next for the bald eagle, now that it’s officially our national bird? Maybe a line of merchandise—“Newly official U.S. National Bird” hats, mugs, and T-shirts (check out these pretty crazy eagle socks while you’re at it). Or perhaps a Netflix special. After all, with centuries of being unofficially official, this bird has stories to tell.

Congratulations, bald eagle. You’ve gone from a high-flying symbol to a legal legend. Now, let’s hope the turkeys don’t get jealous.

If you want to learn more about eagles, this is a wonderful book by Pulitzer Prize winner Jack E. Davis. 

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