WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden officially designated the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States on Tuesday. The legislation, passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, amends the U.S. Code to formally recognize the bird’s long-held status as a national symbol. For over 240 years, the bald eagle—with its distinctive white head, yellow beak, and brown body—has represented the power and strength of the nation.
Since 1782, the bald eagle has graced the Great Seal of the United States, appearing on official documents and embodying the nation’s identity. The seal’s design incorporates the eagle alongside an olive branch, arrows, a shield, the motto “E Pluribus Unum,” and a constellation of stars. That same year, Congress declared the bald eagle the national emblem, and its image has since become ubiquitous—featured on documents, the presidential flag, military insignia, and U.S. currency. Despite its prominent presence and widespread recognition, the bald eagle had never been formally designated as the national bird until now. Native to North America, the bald eagle’s official recognition as the national bird solidifies its enduring significance in American culture and history.