Founding a new nation is a complicated affair. Needless to say, America's Founding Fathers had a lot on their minds when they declared independence and even more when they gathered in Philadelphia back in 1776 to hammer out a new constitution.
Not the least of their concerns, I'm sure, was selecting exactly the right national bird to represent the new American spirit.
You might think the majestic bald eagle was a shoe-in for the job, but he had his detractors. None opposed the eagle more strenuously than Philadelphia's beloved Ben Franklin, who campaigned long and hard for the turkey.
That's right, the turkey might well have been our country's symbol, and it's worth considering just what that could have meant for America's self-image.
The turkey contingent alleged the eagle was an immoral bird of prey, but the turkey, a true American native bird, was far more respectable. Native American opinions on the character of the turkey appear to have been divided. Some viewed it as inferior and cowardly; others treated it with respect and reverence, even honoring the bird with ceremonial burial. A flightless, foraging bird, not known for its intelligence or bravery, the turkey has been valued in our society mostly as the centerpiece of our traditional Thanksgiving meal.
If Franklin's party had prevailed, would we be proud, today, to call ourselves a nation of turkeys? Would screaming fans pack sports stadium to cheer for teams named the Wild Turkeys or the Gobblers? Would eating our country's symbol for Thanksgiving dinner be considered gauche or downright unpatriotic? Or would we simple see ourselves as a people well-represented by a slightly dim-witted, noisy bird who'd grown too heavy to soar?
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Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle). A fierce raptor, the adult attains a wingspan of 220 cm. The characteristic white head and tail and large yellow bill make the bald eagle easily identifiable. Their range spans the North American continent, though they prefer habitats near rivers, lakes or marshes where they feed on fish and small vertebrates. A symbol of Sumer's military might and the official emblem of ancient Rome, the magnificent eagle has commanded admiration throughout history, though Franklin considered it a "bird of bad moral character." It has symbolized military might in ancient Sumeria and served as the official symbol of ancient Rome. Among the Plains Indians, eagle feathers were a sign of bravery and a means of communicating with the gods. As our national bird, the eagle stands for peace and unity through strength. Once listed as endangered, the bald eagle has recently been upgraded to the threatened list, but it's a sad commentary on our nation's lack of reverence for the land that its majestic symbol needed a law to protect him from his own people. |
| Meleagris gallopavo (wild turkey). The largest game bird in North America, the turkey roosts in trees and forages for seeds and insects. One of the oldest domestic birds on the continent, its range includes most of the United States. The Hopi Indians believed the turkey was the first bird to try to raise the sun in the sky, but in his valiant efforts his head features were burned off. Once threatened with extinction because of overhunting, it has made a strong comeback. |
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