♦ The bald eagle was officially became the national bird of the USA, after President Joe Biden signed a law on  24 December 2024. The bird has been a national emblem in the US for years, appearing on the Great Seal of the US - used on US documents - since 1782, Congress had never made it official.
♦ The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes it illegal to sell or hunt the creature.