Move Over, Turkeys: America’s True Bird Just Claimed the Throne Thanks to Minnesota

The bald eagle has always been a symbol of the United States, but for some reason it has never been designated as such by the government, but that is about to change.

Minnesota Leads Effort to Make Bald Eagle Official Bird

The effort to make the change in United States Code to designate the bald eagle as the official bird of America was led by Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and now the bill is on its way to the White House for one final signature.

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The Bill Becomes Law Thanks to Minnesota

The Senate unanimously passed the bill in August 2024, and the House of Representatives approved it in December 2024. The legislation now awaits President Joe Biden's signature to become law.

The bill lays out several reasons why the bald eagle deserves its status as the official bird of America, in the first line of the bill the Congress declares, "bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom."

Why Minnesota Loves the Bald Eagle

Minnesota is home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the United States and is home to the National Eagle Center locate in Wabasha, so it makes a lot of sense for Minnesota to lead this effort.

The Bald Eagle Joins America's Other Official Symbols

The bald eagle joins the American Bison (National Mammal), the Rose (National Flower), and the oak tree (National Tree), as natural symbols of the United States.