The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird and emblem of the United States. It has appeared on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782 and is now formally designated as the national bird under U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 306.
Which Bird Is the Emblem of the US? Bald Eagle Explained
Marcus Chen
30 May 2026
The U.S. national bird: the bald eagle
If you need the one-word answer for a quiz, a school project, or just plain curiosity: it's the bald eagle. No other bird holds this official status for the United States. The NPS describes it plainly as "the national bird and symbol of the United States of America," and U.S. federal law now backs that up in writing. You'll find the bald eagle on the President's flag, on official government documents, on the back of the dollar bill, and embedded in the imagery of virtually every major federal agency.
What the bald eagle actually represents
When Congress was pulling together symbols for the new nation in 1782, they needed a bird that could carry serious symbolic weight. The bald eagle, according to the National Wildlife Federation, stood for strength, courage, and freedom. It was also native to North America, which mattered. The founders wanted something distinctly American, not borrowed from European heraldry.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service puts it well: when the young republic went looking for a national emblem, the bald eagle "checked every box." It was large and imposing, it was unique to the continent, and it had a natural authority that felt right for a nation asserting its independence. On the Great Seal, the eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon (representing peace) and a bundle of 13 arrows in its left talon (representing military readiness). That design captures the tension the founders wanted to express: a preference for peace, but a willingness to fight.
There is one famous dissent worth knowing. A letter attributed to Benjamin Franklin criticized the bald eagle as having a "bad moral character" because it steals fish from other birds. Franklin preferred the turkey. That story has been repeated so often it's practically folklore, though Franklin never formally proposed the turkey as a rival candidate. The bald eagle was chosen anyway, and the debate was settled quickly.
How and when the bald eagle became the U.S. emblem
The key date is June 20, 1782. That's when the Continental Congress officially adopted the Great Seal of the United States, which placed the bald eagle front and center. The National Archives confirms this date, and History.com describes the seal's front side as showing the bald eagle holding the olive branch and arrows alongside a shield, a motto (E Pluribus Unum), and a constellation of 13 stars above its head.
The official explanation of the seal's symbolism comes from Charles Thomson, who served as Secretary of the Continental Congress and wrote the formal remarks accompanying the adopted design. His explanation is the authoritative source for what each element means, including why the eagle was placed at the center.
From 1782 onward, the bald eagle functioned as the national emblem in every practical sense: on seals, on currency, and in official government imagery. But here's the part that surprises most people: the bald eagle was not formally designated as the "national bird" in U.S. law until December 2024.
The 2024 law and a common point of confusion
For over 240 years, the bald eagle was widely treated as the national bird, but no single law said so explicitly. That gap was closed on December 23, 2024, when Congress passed Public Law 118-206, titled "Designation of Bald Eagle as National Bird." President Biden signed it into law on December 24, 2024. The Associated Press noted at the time that the law "corrected" the long-standing oversight: the bald eagle had never been officially designated as the national bird, even though it had appeared on the Great Seal since 1782. The designation is now codified in U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 306, which reads simply: "The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird."
So if someone argues that the U.S. technically had no official national bird before 2024, they're technically right. But for all practical purposes, the bald eagle has been the recognized national emblem since 1782. The 2024 law just made it unambiguous.
It's also worth noting the difference between "national bird" and "national emblem." The bald eagle was designated the national emblem (through the Great Seal) in 1782 and became the official national bird in 2024. These are related but distinct designations. Both now point to the same bird.
Quick facts worth knowing
- Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Formally designated national bird: December 23, 2024 (Public Law 118-206)
- National emblem via Great Seal: June 20, 1782
- Legal citation for national bird status: 36 U.S.C. § 306
- What it holds on the Great Seal: 13 arrows (left talon) and an olive branch (right talon)
- Wild lifespan: up to 28 years in the wild; up to 36 years in captivity (NPS record)
- Conservation history: listed as endangered in 43 states in 1967; populations have since recovered significantly
- Federal protection: the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (first enacted June 8, 1940, codified at 16 U.S.C. § 668) makes it illegal to take, possess, or disturb bald eagles or their feathers, nests, or eggs without a permit
The conservation angle is worth a moment. By the mid-20th century, the bald eagle was nearly gone from much of the continental United States, due to hunting, habitat loss, and the effects of the pesticide DDT. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that the eagle was "almost lost" in many parts of the country. Its recovery since then, through legal protection and active conservation work, is considered one of the great success stories of American wildlife management.
Where to verify this and explore other national birds
If you want to double-check the official designation, the most authoritative sources are 36 U.S.C. § 306 (available through the U.S. Code on Cornell's Legal Information Institute or Congress.gov), USA.gov's page on American national symbols, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's profile on the bald eagle. All three will confirm what's covered here.
The bald eagle is one of the most recognizable national birds in the world, but every country has its own story. If you're curious how other nations have chosen their emblems, this site covers national birds across the globe, from the secretary bird of South Africa to Papua New Guinea's bird of paradise. The secretary bird is the national emblem of South Africa secretary bird of South Africa. Many countries also feature their national bird on their flag, which is another thread worth exploring if you're going deeper into the topic of avian national symbols. If you're wondering how this works elsewhere, you can also look up which bird appears on a flag and what country it represents what bird is on a flag and which country. You can find the country for the question “what country has a bird on its flag” by looking at specific national symbols and flags bird on their flag. On some national and regional flags, you can even spot a bird centered in the design, which is what this question is getting at what flag has a bird in the middle? (bird in the middle).
Whether you're a student, a trivia fan, or just someone who stumbled onto this question, the answer is clear: the bald eagle is the bird of the United States, recognized both as a national emblem since 1782 and as the official national bird since 2024.
FAQ
Is the bald eagle the national bird of the U.S. in every legal context (for example, state laws and school materials)?
Federally, the designation is in 36 U.S.C. § 306, but states and schools may have their own official “state birds” or teaching materials that do not reference the federal label. So it is correct to say the bald eagle is the national bird, but you may still see different birds for state-level symbols in classrooms.
What is the difference between “national bird” and “national emblem,” and can one bird hold both roles?
Yes. “National emblem” refers to an official symbol used by the government, and for the U.S. the Great Seal has the bald eagle since 1782. “National bird” is a specific wildlife designation in federal law, formally added in 2024, even though the same eagle was already functioning as the country’s emblem in practice.
Did the U.S. ever consider another bird before choosing the bald eagle?
A well-known story attributes a turkey preference to Benjamin Franklin, but that account is more folklore than an official proposal. The credible takeaway is that the final selection for the Great Seal was made in 1782 and the bald eagle became the central symbol then.
Why did it take so long to codify “national bird” in federal law?
The eagle was treated as the national bird for generations, but the article’s key point is that no single statute explicitly used the phrase until December 2024. The gap was about wording in law, not about the eagle’s long-established symbolic role on official government imagery.
Can the bald eagle be called the U.S. “national bird” before December 23, 2024?
For everyday accuracy, many people historically used “national bird” informally because of the Great Seal usage since 1782. But if you are being strictly legal or for a formal citation, the official national bird designation dates to the 2024 law coming into effect through 36 U.S.C. § 306.
Is there any confusion with the U.S. “national bird” versus birds on flags or seals?
Yes, because other national symbols can include birds on flags, coins, or agency logos even if they do not change the official “national bird” status. The most reliable way to avoid confusion is to distinguish “official national bird” under federal code from “depicted in official imagery” under the Great Seal and other government uses.
If someone asks for the scientific name, what should I use?
The commonly given scientific name is Haliaeetus leucocephalus. In trivia or citations, use that exact binomial since it is the standard scientific label for the bald eagle species.
Does the U.S. have an official national bird besides the bald eagle?
No. The federal designation states the bald eagle is the national bird, so there is not an additional official national-bird species in U.S. law. If you see another bird mentioned, it is likely a state bird, a mascot, or a symbolic figure used in a specific context.
Citations
U.S. Code (Title 36, § 306) states: “The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird.” (Page also notes this is the text in effect on May 26, 2026).
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=prelim&f=treesort&jumpTo=true&num=0&req=%28title%3A36+section%3A306+edition%3Aprelim%29+OR+%28granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title36-section306%29
Public Law 118–206 (Dec. 23, 2024) amends Title 36 to designate the bald eagle as the national bird; it is titled “Designation of Bald Eagle as National Bird.”
https://www.congress.gov/118/plaws/publ206/PLAW-118publ206.pdf
The NPS notes: “The bald eagle was named the national symbol of the United States by Congress in 1782.”
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bald-eagle.htm
USA.gov states the Great Seal’s final design was approved in 1782 and includes a bald eagle, and it describes the bald eagle as being designated as the national emblem by the U.S.
https://www.usa.gov/flag?linkId=52914460
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service explains that when the U.S. sought national emblems in 1782, the bald eagle “checked every box,” portraying it as a national symbol.
https://www.fws.gov/story/very-american-bird
The National Wildlife Federation describes the bald eagle as “a classic icon of the United States,” “standing for strength, courage, and freedom,” and says it was chosen in 1782 as a symbol for the national emblem.
https://www.nationalwildlife.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Birds/Bald-Eagle
Smithsonian National Zoo provides context for the bald eagle’s national-symbol role and notes it was adopted as the national symbol in 1782 (including historical population figures).
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/bald-eagle
Charles Thomson’s “Remarks and Explanation” is identified as the primary official explanation of Great Seal symbolism; the site presents it as accompanying the Congress-adopted description.
https://www.greatseal.com/symbols/explanation.html
National Archives: After changes, “on June 20, 1782, the seal was officially adopted by the Continental Congress.”
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/original-design-of-the-great-seal-of-the-united-states
History.com records that on June 20, 1782, Congress adopted the Great Seal design, and describes the front showing a bald eagle with olive branch and arrows.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-20/congress-adopts-the-great-seal-of-the-united-states/
Britannica’s Great Seal article says Congress adopted Thomson’s report by resolution of June 20, 1782 and describes the eagle-centered design details.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Seal-of-the-United-States
NPS (Yellowstone) explicitly ties the “national symbol” designation to Congress in 1782.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bald-eagle.htm
The formal federal “national bird” claim is reflected in current federal law: 36 USC 306 states the bald eagle is the national bird.
https://www.uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=prelim&f=treesort&jumpTo=true&num=0&req=%28title%3A36+section%3A306+edition%3Aprelim%29+OR+%28granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title36-section306%29
The “national bird” designation was formalized by Congress via Public Law 118–206, enacted Dec. 23, 2024.
https://www.congress.gov/118/plaws/publ206/PLAW-118publ206.pdf
AP reports President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Dec. 24, 2024, and it “correct[ed]” that the bald eagle had not previously been officially designated as the national bird (even though it had appeared on the Great Seal since 1782).
https://apnews.com/article/7d9ae832ac8d249891d5daf11bf3ceb2
USA.gov frames the bald eagle’s prominence as a national emblem used on official documents and describes the Great Seal’s 1782 approval and the eagle’s elements (eagle/olive branch/arrows/shield/motto/constellation).
https://www.usa.gov/flag?linkId=52914460
NPS describes the bald eagle as “the national bird and symbol of the United States of America.” (This can be cited carefully, since official legal designation for “national bird” is in U.S. Code.)
https://www.nps.gov/places/000/bald-eagle.htm
Widespread confusion point: a source notes that, despite long being considered a “national bird,” the U.S. had not designated one officially until Congress acted in 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bald_Eagle%3A_The_Improbable_Journey_of_America%27s_Bird
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service summarizes the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d): it prohibits “taking” bald or golden eagles without a permit, including their parts (such as feathers), nests, or eggs.
https://www.fws.gov/law/bald-and-golden-eagle-protection-act
GovInfo provides the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act codification (16 U.S.C. § 668) and its historical act linkage details.
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2023-title16/USCODE-2023-title16-chap5A-subchapII-sec668
Cornell LII’s “Table of Popular Names” identifies the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act’s date as 1940-06-08 (and provides the congressional act reference).
https://www.law.cornell.edu/topn/bald_and_golden_eagle_protection_act
NPS lists notable natural-history details including longevity: a longevity record of 28 years in the wild and 36 years in captivity.
https://www.nps.gov/places/000/bald-eagle.htm
FWS describes the bald eagle’s place in national symbolism and notes it was “almost lost” in many parts of the U.S. (useful for a symbolism + conservation tie-in).
https://www.fws.gov/story/very-american-bird
NPS notes federal listing history: in 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bald eagle as an endangered species in 43 states.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bald-eagle.htm
GreatSeal.com (symbol page) states that Thomson placed “a bundle of thirteen arrows” in the eagle’s left talon, and explains the Great Seal’s official wording for the eagle’s talons.
https://www.greatseal.com/symbols/arrows.html
National Archives provides the documentary milestone and date for the Great Seal’s official adoption (June 20, 1782), which is the foundational period when the eagle became emblematic.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/original-design-of-the-great-seal-of-the-united-states
NPS explicitly calls the bird “the national bird and symbol of the United States of America” and includes background that helps tie it to U.S. identity.
https://www.nps.gov/places/000/bald-eagle.htm
FWS (federal agency) provides a narrative explanation of why the bald eagle became the national symbol—useful as an authoritative interpretive source for meaning.
https://www.fws.gov/story/very-american-bird
Smithsonian Magazine documents a historically cited remark attributed to Benjamin Franklin describing the bald eagle as having a “bad moral character,” which is often used in stories about early adoption discussions.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/bald-eagle-soaring-return-shows-us-can-change-180979798/
Smithsonian’s National Zoo provides an authoritative reference page for the bald eagle’s adoption as the national symbol (1782) and includes conservation/regulation context.
https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/bald-eagle
USA.gov is a government portal that explains U.S. national symbols (including the Great Seal and bald eagle) and where the symbol appears in official contexts.
https://www.usa.gov/flag?linkId=52914460
GovRegs republishes the text of 36 USC 306, including the national-bird statement, useful for quick quoting while pointing back to the official U.S. Code source.
https://www.govregs.com/uscode/expand/title36_subtitleI_partA_chapter3_section306