Beyond the Seal: The Surprising Arguments Over America's National Bird Eagle

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is an indelible fixture of American identity. Its image graces the Great Seal, the dollar bill, and countless military and government emblems. It is the quintessential symbol of strength, freedom, and majesty.

Yet, this iconic status was not granted without significant debate. The selection of the Bald Eagle as the national bird was one of the first—and most colorful—arguments among the Founding Fathers, pitting proponents of soaring grandeur against those who favored pragmatic industriousness. The most famous dissenter? Benjamin Franklin.

The Moment of Selection: 1782

The official selection of the Bald Eagle occurred in 1782, when the Continental Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States. The initial designs presented featured various historical and mythological motifs. When the final design—which featured a stylized Bald Eagle gripping an olive branch and arrows—was approved, the eagle officially became the national emblem.

For many of the Founding Fathers, the choice was obvious. The Bald Eagle embodied:

Majesty and Power: It is a massive raptor, dominating the skies, suggesting the young nation's strength and dominance.Freedom and Independence: It lives in the wild, soaring high above the land, reflecting the ideals of the Revolution. Golden Eagle

Native Exclusivity: Unlike many European symbols, the Bald Eagle is unique to North America, making it a perfect symbol for a new, independent republic.

Franklin’s Famous Dissent: The "Bird of Bad Moral Character"

The most enduring critique of the Bald Eagle came from Benjamin Franklin. In a 1784 letter to his daughter, Sarah Bache, regarding the proposed design for the Society of the Cincinnati medal, Franklin aired his considerable grievances, famously declaring the Bald Eagle a bird of "bad moral character."

Franklin’s objections were less about aesthetics and more about the eagle's actual behavior:

Feeds on Carrion: Franklin scorned the eagle’s habit of eating dead or decaying fish, arguing it was not a dignified predator.

A Thief (Kleptoparasitism): His chief complaint was the Bald Eagle’s tendency to steal food from smaller, harder-working birds, most notably the Osprey. Franklin viewed this as an act of cowardice and theft. He wrote, "He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly."

Lack of Courage: He noted that the eagle is easily chased away from food by smaller birds, proving it was not the emblem of fierce courage it was often made out to be.

The Turkey's Champion

In a tongue-in-cheek but often repeated proposal, Franklin elevated the Wild Turkey as a superior alternative. He argued that the turkey, while perhaps less majestic in appearance, was a bird of “courage” and “true original native of America.”

"For my own part, I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character... The Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should come into his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

— Benjamin Franklin, 1784

While Franklin's letter was witty and widely publicized, the suggestion was never formally considered by Congress. The turkey, despite its valor in Franklin’s eyes, remained a staple of the dinner table, not the national seal.

An Enduring Symbol

Ultimately, the arguments faded, and the Bald Eagle solidified its place. Over two centuries later, the Bald Eagle's dramatic recovery from near-extinction in the late 20th century—a comeback directly linked to national conservation efforts—has only strengthened its symbolism. Today, the Bald Eagle represents not just the ideals of 1776, but also the environmental stewardship and recovery of the modern nation, soaring "beyond the seal" to become a true, living icon.