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Bald Eagle could soon be national bird
The Bald Eagle is a symbol of American freedom, strength and perseverance, but did you know it was never designated the official national bird? FOX 9’s Maury Glover explains how that could soon change.
(FOX 9) - The bald eagle is poised to be officially recognized as the United States' national bird as a bipartisan bill is on its way to President Joe Biden's desk.
History of bald eagle as symbol of United States
The backstory: Back in 1782, Congress put the bald eagle on the national seal and since then, it has been used on everything from passports to currency. But it was never officially designated the national bird, a fact many people assumed it already was.
"Assuming something doesn't necessarily make it so. So, this is just kind of that official overdue recognition that this is our national symbol. Let's make it our national bird," said Ed Hahn, the National Eagle Center director of advancement and marketing communications.
The National Eagle Center in Wabasha is home to four bald eagle ambassadors who help teach visitors about the environment and conservation. But soon the formerly endangered species could be soaring to new heights.
"It's a very cool development and surprising to most people," said Hahn.
Push to name bald eagle as national bird
What we know: Preston Cook, whose 40,000 piece collection of eagle memorabilia is housed at the eagle center, discovered the oversight while he was writing a book about the birds.
Cook urged Minnesota lawmakers in Washington D.C. to introduce legislation naming the bald eagle the national bird, which passed the U.S. Senate back in July and the U.S. House on Monday. The bill is now headed to President Biden's desk to make the designation official.
"Here we are a country that doesn't have a national bird. Now, every state, all 50 states have a state bird, but we don't have a national bird. So it is time I felt that this should be done," said Cook.
Dig deeper: The bald eagle bounced back from near extinction in the late 60s and 70s and the eagle center hopes giving the country's most prominent bird a new title will help the species continue to spread its wings for years to come.
"I think any time that we're able to elevate something like the bald eagle in high into the public eye, it raises awareness and appreciation for our natural resources, for the environment, for conservation, which are all important," said Hahn.
The bald eagle will join the rose as the national flower, the oak as the national tree and the bison as the national mammal.
What we don't know: While the bill has been sent to President Biden's desk, it's unknown when he may sign the bill into law.