Bald Eagle Officially Declared the National Bird of the United States
President Biden signed a bipartisan bill recognizing the once-endangered bald eagle as the country’s official bird, marking a historic milestone for the species and its recovery.
- The bald eagle, a long-standing symbol of the United States, was officially designated as the national bird this week through bipartisan legislation signed by President Joe Biden.
- The species, which appeared on the Great Seal of the U.S. in 1782, had never been legally recognized as the national bird until now.
- Once on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and pesticide use, the bald eagle's population has rebounded significantly thanks to conservation efforts and federal protections like the Endangered Species Act.
- Current estimates suggest there are over 316,000 bald eagles in the contiguous United States, up from just 417 nesting pairs in 1963 when the species was critically endangered.
- Despite its recovery, bald eagles still face challenges such as bird flu, lead poisoning, and human-related injuries, highlighting the ongoing need for conservation and public awareness.
USA TODAY 
Post and Courier 
