The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the US, after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve bestowing the honor upon the white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey, reports the BBC.

The bird has been a national emblem in the US for years, appearing on the Great Seal of the US—used on the country’s documents—since 1782.

But it had not been officially designated to be the national bird until Congress passed the bill last week, sending it to Biden's desk to be signed.

But not everyone has always agreed about the national status of the bald eagle.