The bald eagle is featured on American military insignia, currency, stamps and even the helmets of an NFL team. However, the government has never officially recognized it as the United States’ national bird—until now.

The bird of brown and white feathers has long represented the United States as a majestic and soaring symbol, but only this week did a law make it official.

Florida ranks third in the nation when it comes to the number of nesting bald eagles. Watch daily life of North Fort Myers Beach eaglets.

The United States has used the bald eagle as a national symbol since George Washington was president. But it only became the national bird recently, and only after a Minnesota man caught the oversight.

President Joe Biden signed into law legislation sent to him by Congress that amends the United States Code to correct what had long gone unnoticed and designate the bald eagle — familiar to many because of its white head, yellow beak and brown body — as the national bird.

After nearly 250 years of informal recognition, the bald eagle has officially been designated as the national bird of the United States.

The bald eagle is on the United States' national seal, on U.S. currency. However, until Christmas Eve it wasn't on the books as the national bird.