Was the Turkey Ever Considered as the National Bird of the United States?

The bald eagle has symbolized the United States as its national bird since 1782. But there is a popular myth that Benjamin Franklin once lobbied for the turkey to become the national bird instead. This legend persists despite a lack of evidence that Franklin seriously proposed the turkey to represent America.

So how did the story arise that the turkey was almost the U.S. national bird? And what reasons are given for why Franklin allegedly preferred the turkey over the bald eagle? Let’s explore the origins of this national bird controversy and why the turkey never officially achieved this symbolic status.

The Myth’s Origins: Franklin’s Letter Criticizing the Eagle

The myth stems from a 1784 letter Benjamin Franklin wrote to his daughter Sarah in which he criticized the choice of the bald eagle as the symbol of America. In the letter, Franklin stated

• The bald eagle has “bad moral character” as it steals food from other birds.
• He believed the turkey to be “a much more respectable bird” and “a true original Native of America.”
• Franklin said the bald eagle was of “bad moral character” while the turkey was a “bird of courage.”

This led to assumptions that Franklin preferred the turkey as a national symbol But the letter never actually proposes the turkey to replace the eagle Franklin simply uses the turkey as a rhetorical device to criticize the eagle’s unsavory traits,

Franklin’s Role in Designing the Great Seal

The attribution of the eagle as America’s national bird resulted from its placement on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. But ironically, Benjamin Franklin was one of three men who helped design the original seal in 1776.

Franklin proposed using a Biblical scene for the seal. He did not recommend the turkey or the eagle. The adoption of the bald eagle came later from the heraldic traditions of other designers.

So while Franklin criticized the concept of the eagle as the national symbol, he did not seriously suggest replacing it with the turkey either when he served on the design committee. His true feelings were likely more nuanced.

The Letter as Satire Rather Than a Serious Proposal

Franklin’s letter containing the infamous turkey comments was likely never even meant to be sent. Most historians believe he wrote it as a satirical work rather than a policy proposal.

Reasons the turkey mention was probably satirical include:

• The letter was not actually mailed to his daughter as claimed.
• It was intentionally shown to others later for publication.
• The eagle criticism mocks the Society of the Cincinnati’s emblem.
• Franklin was known for witty satire against various subjects.

In essence, Franklin used the turkey anecdote as a literary device to make a philosophical point about the new nation’s symbols. There is no solid proof he lobbied for the turkey as the national bird within official government circles.

No Contemporary Evidence the Turkey Was Seriously Considered

If Benjamin Franklin had truly proposed the turkey as the national bird to Congress, there would almost certainly be documents recording this. But no letters, legal notes, or any other contemporary sources from the time have been found that indicate a turkey national bird was ever close to reality.

All evidence instead points to Franklin simply making a wry observation. His turkey commentary was exaggerated over time into a belief that he actively campaigned for the turkey to represent America.

Why the Bald Eagle Ultimately Triumphed

The bald eagle gained official recognition through a series of legislative actions in the 1780s. Several key factors led to its status as the national bird:

• The eagle’s fierce nature epitomized a powerful nation.
• It was already used in heraldry representing the United States.
• Artists like Charles Thomson sketched the eagle in positions viewed as patriotic.
• As a native species, the eagle embodied the new country’s independence.

By contrast, the turkey was seen as less inspiring. The eagle’s majestic and predatory associations led it to resonate more deeply as a symbol with governmental authorities at the time.

In closing, Benjamin Franklin never specifically proposed or campaigned for the turkey to become the national bird. His letter was a literary device used to critique national symbols, not an official suggestion to displace the bald eagle. So while it makes for an intriguing legend, the historical record shows the turkey was never seriously considered as America’s premier avian emblem. The bald eagle truly earned its wings as the original national bird based on its perceived power and strength.