.jpeg "The bald eagle is officially America's national bird") |
| The bald eagle is officially America's national bird |
After more than two centuries of serving as an emblem of American strength and freedom, the bald eagle has finally received official recognition as the United States' national bird. In December 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law a bipartisan bill that formally designates the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as the nation's avian symbol, correcting a historical oversight that persisted since the bird's initial adoption on the Great Seal in 1782. (The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
A Symbol Without Legal Status
Despite its prominent presence on the Great Seal, presidential insignia, and various federal emblems, the bald eagle lacked formal legislative recognition as the national bird. This discrepancy came to light when eagle enthusiast Preston Cook discovered the absence of any legal designation during his research. Cook's findings were confirmed by the National Archives, revealing that, unlike the rose (national flower), oak (national tree), and bison (national mammal), the bald eagle had never been officially declared the national bird. (The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
.jpeg "The bald eagle is officially America's national bird") |
| The bald eagle is officially America's national bird |
Preston Cook's Advocacy
Motivated by his discovery, Cook, who has amassed a collection of over 40,000 bald eagle-related items, initiated a campaign to rectify this oversight. He collaborated with the National Eagle Center and reached out to lawmakers, including the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, to draft and promote legislation. Despite initial skepticism—many believed the designation had already been made—Cook's persistent efforts led to the introduction of a bill by Minnesota Representatives Brad Finstad and Angie Craig, with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith co-sponsoring the Senate version. (The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
Motivated by his discovery, Cook, who has amassed a collection of over 40,000 bald eagle-related items, initiated a campaign to rectify this oversight. He collaborated with the National Eagle Center and reached out to lawmakers, including the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, to draft and promote legislation. Despite initial skepticism—many believed the designation had already been made—Cook's persistent efforts led to the introduction of a bill by Minnesota Representatives Brad Finstad and Angie Craig, with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith co-sponsoring the Senate version. (The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
Conservation Success Story
The bald eagle's journey to official recognition is also a testament to successful conservation efforts. Once facing extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and the detrimental effects of the pesticide DDT, the bald eagle population plummeted to just 417 nesting pairs in the contiguous United States by 1963. Legislative measures, including the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and the banning of DDT in 1972, facilitated a remarkable recovery. By 2007, the species was removed from the Endangered Species list, and as of 2020, the population had rebounded to approximately 316,700 individuals in the lower 48 states. (Senate finally names bald eagle the official national bird, 242 years after it became a symbol of America, The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
.jpeg "The bald eagle is officially America's national bird") |
| The bald eagle is officially America's national bird |
Cultural and Ecological Significance
Beyond its symbolic role, the bald eagle holds cultural significance, particularly among Indigenous communities who regard the bird as sacred. Its resurgence is not only an environmental success but also a reinforcement of national identity, embodying resilience and freedom. The formal recognition of the bald eagle as the national bird serves as a reminder of the nation's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and the power of dedicated individuals to effect change.
For more information, you can read the original article from Texas Public Radio: (The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
Beyond its symbolic role, the bald eagle holds cultural significance, particularly among Indigenous communities who regard the bird as sacred. Its resurgence is not only an environmental success but also a reinforcement of national identity, embodying resilience and freedom. The formal recognition of the bald eagle as the national bird serves as a reminder of the nation's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and the power of dedicated individuals to effect change.
For more information, you can read the original article from Texas Public Radio: (The bald eagle is officially America's national bird. Here's why it took so long | TPR)
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