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US Finally Names the Bald Eagle as the Country’s National Bird

American Bald Eagle officially named national bird

The United States Senate has finally officially named the American Bald Eagle as the country’s national bird. In a historic move, a bill has been passed designating what was long overdue. For many, it might sound strange; after all, the bald eagle has been the country’s symbol for 242 years. Unfortunately, due to an oversight, it was never an official national emblem. That is now about to change and eagle lovers throughout the U.S. can now rejoice.

A Historic Decision 242 Years in the Making

Bald eagle in front of an American flag.
Bald eagle in front of an American flag. Image by PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay.

According to an N.Y. Post report of August 5th, 2024, the United States Senate corrected a gross oversight in what can be termed as an injustice to the country’s most prominent symbol. Worldwide, the Bald eagle has been assumed to be the national bird of the USA, but it wasn’t.  In 1782, the bald eagle was chosen by America’s founding fathers to grace the seal of the United States. But, as symbolic as that sounds, the bird was never legally a national symbol.

The Long Journey to Official Recognition

For 242 years, the American bald eagle as a national bird remained simply an assumption; just as the Baltimore oriole is the state bird in Maryland or the Robin associated with Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Michigan, it was taken for granted the Eagle symbolized the United States. Only after researchers and authors of the bald eagle brought it to the notice of the senate did the authorities realize the grievous mistake. Over the years, there have been attempts to grant the eagle official status, but it never really fell through.

The Eagle’s Advocates

Bald eagle.
Bald eagle. Image by minka2507 via Pixabay.

It was reputed eagle researchers, educators and authors Preston Cook and history professor Jack E. Davis of the University of Florida who convinced lawmakers to take the decision. Cook and Davis targeted lawmakers from states with the largest eagle population, asking them to introduce a bill declaring the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.

Senate Approval and Key Figures

After years of lobbying, finally, last week, a bill proposed by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar was approved by a unanimous vote, as reported by the N.Y. Post.

In a press release after the passing of the bill, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), one of the bill’s cosponsors, said, “Today’s bipartisan passage brings us one step closer to solidifying the eagle’s place as an enduring symbol of our freedom, and I look forward to seeing this legislation pass the House and signed into law soon.”

Not The First Country to Use the Bald Eagle as A Symbol

Bald Eagle declared US national bird
The American Bald Eagle, now the National Bird. Image created via Canva pro

America wasn’t the first to adopt the eagle as a national symbol; its use dates to Roman times, when it appeared on various artifacts, including the ‘SPQR’ seal.

The Founding Fathers specifically chose the bald eagle due to its native status in America. While some have migrated beyond U.S. borders, the bird primarily lives and breeds within the United States, with a few in Canada and Mexico, according to the National Park Service.

The American Bald Eagle is Endangered

In 1978, the American bald eagle was listed as endangered. The bird was on the verge of extinction, reaching an all-time low of 417 in the sixties, mainly due to the use of pesticides. However, numbers have significantly increased since then, with present figures estimating around 316,700 individuals and 71,400 nesting pairs. Very recently, New Jersey conservationists staged protests to ensure the state authorities do not carry out its plan to delist the bird from the state’s endangered list. That looks unlikely in the wake of new developments crowning the Bald eagle as the country’s official bird.

An Honor Long Overdue

Bald eagle flying high.
Bald eagle flying. Image by Seaq68 via Pixabay.

In 2007, bald eagles were removed from the list of endangered species owing to the increase in populations. However, the bird is still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

The new bill will hopefully be signed as a law. The bison is the national mammal, the rose is the national flower, and the oak is the national tree. Now it’s time for the Bald Eagle to take its rightful place as the official national bird of the U.S.A. This is a historic decision solidifying the bald eagle’s status as an emblem of freedom and strength.