National Bird of the United States

Who suggested the North American wild turkey as the national bird of the United States?

The North American wild turkey was suggested as the national bird by Benjamin Franklin, but the bald eagle was ultimately chosen.

The idea of making the North American wild turkey the national bird of the United States was proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. In a letter to his daughter, Franklin expressed his belief that the wild turkey was a more suitable choice for the national symbol due to its virtues such as courage, intelligence, and resourcefulness. However, despite Franklin's suggestion, the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird and symbol of the United States.

The decision to select the bald eagle was made by a committee of founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The bald eagle was chosen for its associations with strength, power, and freedom, making it a significant symbol of the United States.