The bald eagle, a bird of prey with a range that covers all 48 contiguous states and extends to Alaska, was chosen as the national bird of the United States in 2024. Despite its ubiquity as a symbol, the bald eagle was not always beloved by the American public. In fact, it was often seen as a nuisance and a threat to livestock, leading to widespread hunting and habitat destruction.

A Symbol of American Resilience

However, thanks to conservation efforts and the Endangered Species Act, the bald eagle has made a remarkable recovery. Its population has grown from just 417 nesting pairs in the 1960s to over 300,000 today. This recovery is a testament to American persistence and redemption, and the bald eagle has become a powerful symbol of American resilience.

Other animals, such as the bison and the Eastern gray squirrel, have also been suggested as symbols of America. The bison, with its massive size and strength, represents the country’s continent-sized ambitions, while the Eastern gray squirrel, which has outcompeted native species in the UK, represents American determination and adaptability.

But the bald eagle remains the most iconic and enduring symbol of American strength and freedom. As a nation, the United States has a long history of using animals as symbols of its power and dominance, from the moose that Thomas Jefferson used to demonstrate American superiority to the bald eagle that has become a ubiquitous emblem of American identity.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.