A bald eagle in a frequently used Sesame Street film, first seen in Episode 0424.
The Americanist eagle of them all
"The American Revolution" title graphic
Luis's birdhouse in Episode 1071, complete with eagle decoration
The bald eagle is a bird native to North America, found in all 48 contiguous states and Alaska, as well as Canada and the northern portion of Mexico. A predatory bird, the American bald eagle was on the endangered species list in the 1970s, but upgraded to "threatened" in 1995 and had recovered sufficiently by 2007 to be removed altogether.
Apart from its wildlife role, the bald eagle is the national bird of the United States of America. It has been given prominent place in The Great Seal of the United States and other iconography. The bird has frequently been used (along with Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty) as a symbolic representation of the United States itself, and its use has ranged from the World War II Walt Disney propaganda feature Victory Through Air Power (fighting a Japanese octopus in the climax) to DC Comics Superman covers and art (beginning in 1942 but continuing to the modern day). Stan Freberg jested about it in his 1960s album United States of America Volume 1 (when the eagle was intended for the first Thanksgiving meal, while the true national bird the turkey was cooked by mistake.)
The actual bird appeared in Sesame Street film inserts flying over different regions.
References[]
- Sam the Eagle is the most ostentatious representation of the bald eagle (despite bearing little resemblance to the actual avian, apart from a balding pate). He takes his role as a symbol of patriotism extremely seriously as established even in his early appearances in Muppet Meeting Films (feeling it is degrading for the American eagle to introduce a mere frog). While most often connected to the symbolic and political aspects of the bird, Sam is a featured guest in The Animal Show episode "Bald Eagle," representing the actual species.
- Apart from its American symbolism, the bald eagle was referenced for its endangered species status in Sesame Street Episode 0849 and by Sam in his editorial in The Muppet Show episode 217.
- When told a national figure is coming to the street in Episode 1044, Big Bird guesses the American eagle (he was warm, as it turns out to be the President of the United States).
- Big Bird's creative input on the birdhouse Luis builds in Episode 1071 includes suggesting an American eagle over the door as adornment.
- The American bald eagle appears in the title logo for the recurring Sesame Street segment "The American Revolution." It also figures prominently in "The National Bird" sketch and debate. (First: Episode 2332) John Adams (Ernie) champions the eagle against opposition, including turkey advocate Benjamin Franklin (played by Telly Monster) and a rather indignant latecomer, Big Bird. Oscar the Grouch belittles the nomination: "Some bird with a toupee?"
External links[]
- Library of Congress - blog summary of bald eagle's significance to America