Which of the following correctly identifies the national bird and the national…

CONCEPT: Many countries formally designate specific animals as national symbols through law or convention; a country can hold more than one such designation at once -- most commonly a separate national bird and a separate national mammal, each proclaimed through its own official act.

APPLICATION: In the case of the United States, the national bird is the Bald Eagle, formally designated under Public Law 118-206. Separately, the national mammal is the American Bison, designated under the National Bison Legacy Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-152). These are two distinct statutory designations covering two different animals.

CROSS-CHECK (why the other pairings do not fit):

• Tiger is the national animal of India and Bangladesh, not the United States.

• Yak is a bovine species native to the Himalayan highlands and Central Asia, with no U.S. national-symbol designation.

• Golden Eagle is the national bird of Mexico, where it appears on the national coat of arms; the United States' national bird is the Bald Eagle.

• A generic 'Bison' reference does not carry the specific 'American Bison' statutory designation named in the National Bison Legacy Act.

RESULT: The pairing that matches both official U.S. designations -- the Bald Eagle as national bird and the American Bison as national mammal -- is the one that satisfies both statutes.