The bald eagle is now the official bird of the United States of America.
Although it has been a symbol of the nation since its early days, it took President Joe Biden’s signature on Christmas Eve to make it the country’s national bird.
Legislation introduced this year by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar set the process in motion. The amendment passed Congress relatively easily without a roll call vote.
Bald eagles join bison, which are on the US ‘official’ list
If this all comes as a surprise, don’t worry. The National Eagle Center, which spearheaded lobbying efforts to designate an official national bird, wrote last summer that it is widely believed that the bald eagle has such official status under the law.
“There is confusion about this issue because the Continental Congress installed the bald eagle on the obverse of the Great Seal on June 20, 1782,” the nonprofit wrote in a blog post. “Since then, the bald eagle has become a favorite representative of the country, after the American flag. While there is no record of what was said in Congress on the day the seal was approved, the fact remains that the bald eagle was not identified as the national bird.”
The law signed by the president designates a national bird, among other patriotic symbols. The national mammal is the North American bison, the national tree is the oak, while the national floral emblem is a rose.
This section of the law also includes the national motto “In God We Trust,” along with the national march, John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” and the national anthem.
Bald eagles are protected under U.S. law
Despite not having “official bird status” for the past two centuries, the bald eagle is still a highly protected species.
“Through coordinated conservation measures and the passage of legislation such as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Bald Eagle population has recovered, symbolizing our commitment to preserving our natural heritage for future generations,” said Jack Davis, co-chairman of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center.
In 1940, that legislation provided protection for the bald eagle, their nests and eggs.
Where can you see bald eagles in Oklahoma?
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the largest congregation of bald eagles can be found in the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Oklahoma.
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The department says 70 or more eagles spend the winter at or near the refuge. A pair of bald eagles can also be spotted at Grand Lake, Fort Gibson, Texoma and Tenkiller lakes, along with the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bald eagle officially declared US national bird as Biden signs bill
