---
type: "LegalText"
title: "36 U.S.C. § 306"
description: "National bird"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 36
title_name: "PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS"
chapter_number: "3"
chapter_name: "NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, FLORAL EMBLEM, MARCH, TREE, AND BIRD"
section: "306"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 306"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc36@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t36/s306"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-36/usc36.xml"
source_hash: "6433a40ff674ab5cda043e096f4eefe383317ab987ab73b9a06f5119ee26430b"
raw_snapshot_hash: "d8bb3c94f12bbd56e49d7a2bc029b1f4ab0bb8b69327e9ddbdf94d7adcac580d"
text_hash: "177247ee052b025276f94f52c9ec31d61880a5d370782a6997d55aede4a3cc79"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 36 U.S.C. § 306 - National bird

## Text

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird.

(Added Pub. L. 118–206, § 1(b), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2699.)

## Notes

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Rule of ConstructionPub. L. 118–206, § 1(d), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2700, provided that: “Nothing in this section [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under this section], the amendments made by this section, or the adoption of the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States may be construed or used as a reason to alter, change, modify, or otherwise affect any plan, policy, management decision, regulation, or other action of the Federal Government.”

FindingsPub. L. 118–206, § 1(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2699, provided that: “Congress finds that— “(1) bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom; “(2) the bald eagle is unique to North America; “(3) on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was adopted as the Coat of Arms for the United States Great Seal; “(4) the bald eagle image remains the leading insignia for all branches of the United States military; “(5) the bald eagle is the leading image on thousands of Federal Government branches, departments, and agencies, including the President, Vice-President, Congress, and Senate; “(6) the bald eagle serves as the logo, trademark, and brand icon for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and sports teams across the United States; “(7) bald eagles are integral to the spiritual lives and sacred belief systems of most Indigenous peoples and Tribal communities; “(8) bald eagles are prevalent in belief, practice, stories, ceremonies, dance, traditions, songs, regalia, flags, insignias, arts, craft, and other forms of spiritual reverence; “(9) bald eagle festivals are—“(A) held in over 100 locations across the United States; and “(B) key components of community engagement; “(10) the bald eagle is prevalent on—“(A) hundreds of United States stamps; and “(B) many United States coins and currencies; “(11) the bald eagle is a primary component and symbol on Federal and State flags throughout the United States; and “(12) joint efforts of the Federal Government and State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals have contributed to the successful recovery of the bald eagle.”