The bald eagle has been officially declared the national bird of the United States after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve granting the honor to the iconic bird of prey with a white head and yellow beak.
Although the bald eagle has served as a national emblem for the US for years—appearing on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782—it had never been officially designated as the national bird until Congress passed the bill last week, sending it to Biden for approval.
The bald eagle’s status as the national bird was not always universally accepted. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin opposed the bird’s selection, describing it as a “bird of bad moral character.” However, not all of Congress agreed with Franklin’s view.
For generations, bald eagles, like other eagles around the world, have been symbols of strength, courage, freedom, and immortality, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle is native only to North America.
The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, making it illegal to hunt or sell the bird. Once on the brink of extinction, the bald eagle population has experienced a significant recovery since 2009.
