6 chapters across the catalog
Bald Eagle National Bird Legislation and Ben Franklin
President Biden signed legislation officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. While the eagle has been on the Great Seal since 1782, it was never legislatively designated until now. The hosts recall the historical anecdote that Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey for the role.
Bald Eagles as Pests and Golden Eagle Encounters
The national bird, the bald eagle, is described as a "pest" that preys on kittens and small pets. A personal story is shared about a golden eagle in California that killed and ate an entire seagull on the speaker's deck, leaving only feathers behind.
The popular belief that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird is debunked as folklore popularized by a 1962 New Yorker magazine cover. While Franklin criticized the bald eagle in a letter to his daughter, he never formally proposed the turkey as a replacement. Additionally, the myth that the eagle on the presidential seal changes direction during wartime is corrected, noting Harry Truman permanently changed the eagle to face the olive branch in 1945.
Bald Eagles in Milpitas, Golden Eagle Predation Anecdote
A pair of bald eagles nesting at a Milpitas elementary school has attracted local media attention. John C. Dvorak shares a personal anecdote about a massive golden eagle that killed and ate a seagull on his back deck. He warns that these birds are "pests" that can easily snatch kittens or small pets.
Bald Eagles as Pests, Poodle Snatching Anecdotes
A series of anecdotes challenges the majestic image of the bald eagle, characterizing them as predatory pests that target small pets. Stories from Port Angeles, Washington, describe eagles snatching poodles and kittens in view of local residents. The discussion also references footage of golden eagles hunting goats by knocking them off cliffs, contrasting these behaviors with the bird's status as a national symbol.
Washington State Indian Reservation, Bald Eagle Pests
Dvorak recounts a trip to the northwestern corner of Washington State, where he observed an Indian reservation being used as a dumping ground for old appliances. He challenges the "noble conservationist" stereotype, noting that bald eagles in the area are often viewed as pests that prey on small pets like kittens and puppies.
