Biden signs a bill officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the US

WASHINGTON — The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, received a belated honor Tuesday: It officially became the country’s national bird.

President Joe Biden signed into law legislation sent to him by Congress, which amends the United States Code to correct what had long gone unnoticed and designate the bald eagle – known to many for its white head, yellow beak and brown body – as the national bird.

The bald eagle has appeared on the Great seal from the United States, which has been used in official documents since 1782, when the design became final. The seal consists of the eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto “E Pluribus Unum” and a constellation.

Congress designated the bald eagle as the national emblem that same year, and its image appears in a wide variety of places, ranging from documents and the presidential flag to military insignia and U.S. currency, according to USA.gov.

But it was never officially designated as what many had just assumed: the national bird.

The bald eagle is native to North America.