Bald eagle officially becomes national bird of US | World News

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

President Joe Biden signed legislation sent to him by Congress that amends U.S. law to correct what has long gone unnoticed and designate the bald eagle — familiar to many because of its white head, yellow beak and brown body — as the national bird. .

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

That same year Congress designated the bald eagle as the national emblem, and its image appears in a range of places, 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 assumed to be the national bird.

The bald eagle is native to North America. (AP) SS