Ben Franklin wanted the turkey as the national bird . From the The Franklin Institute ' s FAQ . f r a n k linbenjaminfranklinfaqDid Benjamin Franklin really want the turkey to be the symbol of the United States of America ? In a letter to his daughter , Benjamin Franklin wroteFor my own part I wish the Eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country . He is a bird of bad moral character . He does not get his Living honestly . You may have seen him perched on some dead tree near the river , where , too lazy to fish for himself , he watches the labor of the Fishing Hawk and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a fish , and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones , the Eagle pursues him and takes it from him . With all this injustice , he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy . Besides he is a rank coward The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district . He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country . I am on this account not displeased that the figure is not known as a Eagle , but looks more like a Turkey . For the truth the Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird , and withal a true original native of America . . . He is besides , though a little vain silly , a bird of courage , and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on .