In a move that finally makes the bald eagle's title as America’s national bird official, President Biden signed legislation while Congress received its unanimous ‘yes’ feathers, after 250 years of informal recognition.

In an astonishing turn of events that might just make Benjamin Franklin roll in his grave, Congress unanimously passed a bill declaring the bald eagle, officially known as Haliaeetus leucocephalus, as the nation’s official bird after 250 years of informal crowing. Despite its prominent place on the Great Seal since 1782 and being a conservation success story, this legislation, driven by Minnesota lawmakers in recognition of their state’s thriving eagle population, finally puts a legal vector on America’s avian identity crisis.

To many, the bald eagle has been informally recognized as the national bird for nearly 250 years. After all, it has been featured on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782 and has appeared in various patriotic symbols. Yet, one might wonder how a bird that has enjoyed such an illustrious career became officially designated as the national bird only recently through legislation signed by President Biden. Some might call it procrastination; others might just shrug and accept the complexities of government actions.

Diving deeper into avian affairs reveals that the bald eagle's journey to this official status was not without its perils. Once hovering near extinction, the species has seen a remarkable rebound due to concerted conservation efforts, proving that sometimes a little assistance from the humans can go a long way. With its riveting comeback story, the bald eagle now stands as a testament not just to the American spirit, but also to the strength of a good PR campaign—except this one involved more coercive smuggling of safety nets than catchy jingles.

The legislation was initially advocated for by Preston Cook, a passionate Minnesota resident who recognized that in a birdwatching nation, it was high time to acknowledge the feathered giant. Minnesota, home to one of the largest bald eagle populations in the country, became the logical hub for this legislative feathery uprising. The state’s eaglets, basking in their revered status, would have preferred to soar around shouting their achievements rather than waiting for suits in Washington to give a nod to the obvious.

Historical perspective reveals that not everyone has been a fan of the bald eagle as America’s avian ambassador. Benjamin Franklin famously expressed his desire for the turkey to take up the mantle, citing its moral superiority and penchant for dinner plates across the nation. Perhaps Franklin should have considered the bald eagle’s impressive mottos, which include 'We don’t snack on corn.’ Snarky and patriotic was a tough competition, which the eagle seems to have won not by feathers, but by the sheer audacity of looking majestic while perhaps judging us.

Adding to the humor of this whole undertaking, you might ponder the significance of a unanimous vote. After all, how often does anything pass through the halls of Congress without a little squabbling? The phrase 'unanimous agreement' appears to resonate as well as a softly cooing mourning dove amidst the usual clamoring geese. It turns out that the ego-boosting nature of declaring the bald eagle a national bird may have temporarily united members of both parties. Oh, the irony of politics resting on the wings of a bird.

And while one might debate the controversial timeline of the bald eagle's status, it has been informally recognized as the national bird for nearly 250 years. Perhaps it can reflect the larger existential crisis we face as a nation—what if we are truly just treading water, midway between a majestic eagle and a rather confused turkey?

As Americans take to the skies in celebration of their newly designated avian representative, one thing remains clear: the bald eagle is here to stay, complete with its impressive wingspan and hauntingly beautiful call. With its newfound official title, it is destined to soar gracefully alongside the nation’s other recent achievements, like shiny new legislation and tax breaks for enjoying barbecue on a Wednesday.

With a nod that has been almost as laughable as it has been overdue, citizens can now embrace the bald eagle with a sense of pride—after all, it can now carry the full weight of an official title along with its talons. So the next time one glides overhead, remember: it isn't just a soaring feathered friend; it is the avian emblem of America’s potential—briefly grounded, but always on the rise.