Why would anyone choose an ugly, heartless, cowardly creature like a Bald Eagle, as their symbol (especially when corvids like crows and ravens are much more handsome, sexy and cool)?

I don't want to disparage eagles (or even faux eagles), but I do like crows. I like that they live in families and are smart.

omg so unpatriotic.  Why don't you and Kaepernick get the hell outta here?

Better than a hockey puck.

:C

Our symbolic animal is the beaver. Everybody loves the beaver.

:-D

Not a bad idea. Let's bounce, Colin!

I do not know where you get the "heartless, cowardly" part. They kill things, but they have to eat. I suggest sometime you look up the Decorah Bald Eagles, which are on video through their nesting season, and see the variety of things they catch and bring to the nest to feed the eaglets - though whatever it is usually just looks like some generic dead creature after it has been in the talons for a while. The exception is when they catch fish, in which case it comes in as something dead and silverish.

I also do not know why you are partial to crows and ravens.

So the story goes, the only other serious contender as the national bird was Ben Franklin's suggestion of the Wild Turkey.

Franklin's suggestion was mostly sacrastic as he did not believe the Bald Eagle to be a proper representation of America. 

The Turkey would have been preferable. Eagles have as much empathy as a malfunctioning garbage disposal. They are basically feathered reptiles.

Because it looks badass?

Maybe, but crows are jet black, which automatically makes them at least 50% MORE badass.

I like the original national bird: the wild turkey.  (Admittedly, a buzzard or vulture would seem more appropriate these days.)

Black [birds] matter?  :-D

My friend took this photo:

Nah, bald eagles are ruthless, strong, and hunters.

Crows and ravens are just obnoxious giant wimps that eat corn and are scared of their own shadow.  

Exactly. Can't blame something for being a good hunter.