Texas boy goes viral for singing 'God Bless America' to a bald eagle

Texas boy goes viral for singing 'God Bless America' to a bald eagle by Kate Devine Thu, November 12, 2026 at 6:19 AM Updated Thu, November 12, 2026 at 6:30 AM 4 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Ezekiel Saldana had been learning “God Bless America” for Veterans Day when he spotted an American flag and a bald eagle on a school field trip to the San Antonio Zoo. (SBG San Antonio) Comment on this story 1 Comment Share story Share topics: Ezekiel Saldana Bald eagle God Bless America San Antonio Zoo Veterans day Viral video Floresville Warriors Heart SAN ANTONIO — Ezekiel Saldana had been learning “God Bless America” for Veterans Day when he spotted an American flag and a bald eagle on a school field trip to the San Antonio Zoo. The 4-year-old from Floresville walked up to the exhibit and started singing. His mother pulled out her phone. The video went viral, drawing millions of views. “Because it was about America,” Ezekiel said when asked why he sang. His parents, Alexandra Delgado and Johnny Saldana, were both on the field trip. They said Ezekiel had been practicing the song in his after-school choir, which he asked to join this year. Delgado said it was “a little proud mom moment” to watch him put the flag, the eagle and the song together on his own. She said the video was “never supposed to go viral, never supposed to be a big thing.” His dad says Ezekiel has the same energy at home. “He does have a larger-than-life personality,” Johnny Saldana said. “What you saw in that video was him and his personality showing.” Saldana said it was a coincidence that the video took off around Veterans Day. When Ezekiel returned to the zoo, he had a message for veterans. “Thank you for doing it,” Ezekiel said. “Thank you for doing that.” His mom echoed him. “It’s a very, a very big thank you to all our veterans,” Delgado said. The eagle in the video is Chinook, a Southern bald eagle who hatched in 1995 and came to the San Antonio Zoo in 2017. A left wing injury prevents him from sustaining flight, the zoo said. He shares the habitat with Haley, another bald eagle who could not return to the wild after a wing injury. Both receive ongoing care at the zoo. “You never know what a child’s going to resonate with or what a family’s going to resonate with,” said Victoria De Leon, the zoo’s senior director of public relations. The wooden American flag in the exhibit was made by people in recovery at Warriors Heart in Bandera, the zoo said. After the video went viral, the zoo gave Ezekiel’s family four free memberships through the end of the year. “We really wanted to do something special for him,” De Leon said. On the return visit, Chinook stayed out long enough for a photo with Ezekiel before heading in for the night. Asked what he loves about America, Ezekiel said, “That Jesus made it.” Then he sang for Chinook again. Trending GLP-1 weight loss drugs can cause blindness GLP-1 weight loss drugs can cause blindness Veterans Day freebies: Where to score free meals, treats and special deals in San Antonio Veterans Day freebies: Where to score free meals, treats and special deals in San Antonio Elderly man killed in violent T-bone crash on Far North Side Elderly man killed in violent T-bone crash on Far North Side Family of five killed after SUV leaves wet I-10 overpass in Seguin, parents identified Rain-slicked IH-10 in Seguin turned deadly when a Chevrolet Tahoe left an overpass near FM 725, killing a Porter family of five, including three children. FM 725 was shut for hours as police investigate. Man critically injured in apparent road rage shooting on Northwest Side Man critically injured in apparent road rage shooting on Northwest Side NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 4 NEW Texas boy goes viral for singing 'God Bless America' to a bald eagle 14 Mobile dog groomer, puppy found dead in van on Far Northwest Side 11 Wembanyama, Harper power Spurs past Bulls 124-119 for 10th straight win 3 Lawmakers file abortion, reproductive autonomy bills ahead of Texas legislative session