List of U.S. state birds

Last updated

Below is a list of U.S. state birds as designated by each state's, district's or territory's government.

Contents

The selection of state birds began with Kentucky adopting the northern cardinal in 1926. It continued when the legislatures for Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming selected their state birds after a campaign was started by the General Federation of Women's Clubs to name official state birds in the 1920s. [1] [2] The last state to choose its bird was Arizona in 1973.

Pennsylvania never chose an official state bird, but did choose the ruffed grouse as the state game bird. [3] Alaska, California, and South Dakota permit hunting of their state birds. Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee have designated an additional "state game bird" for the purpose of hunting. The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven states, followed by the western meadowlark as the state bird of six states.

The District of Columbia designated a district bird in 1938. [4] Of the five inhabited territories of the United States, American Samoa and Puerto Rico are the only ones without territorial birds.

State birds

State,
district,
or territory
Bird Scientific name PictureYear
Alabama Yellowhammer (northern flicker)Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker.jpg 1927 [5]
Alaska Willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus Denali National Park Ptarmigan.jpg 1955 [6]
American Samoa None, although the bald eagle displays on the flag.
Arizona Cactus wren Campylorhynchus
brunneicapillus
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus 20061226.jpg 1931 [7]
Arkansas Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg 1929 [8]
California California quail Callipepla californica California quail.jpg 1931 [9]
Colorado Lark bunting Calamospiza melanocorys Lark Bunting (male) Pawnee National Grasslands CO 2018-06-06 17-03-26 (40841912423).jpg 1931 [10]
Connecticut American robin Turdus migratorius Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg 1943 [11]
Delaware Blue Hen Chicken Gallus gallus Delaware Blue rooster.png 1939 [12]
District of Columbia Wood thrush Hylocichla mustelina Hylocichla mustelina (cropped).jpg 1938 [4]
Florida Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg 1927 [13]
Georgia Brown thrasher Toxostoma rufum Brown Thrasher-27527-2.jpg 1928 [14]
Guam Guam rail (ko'ko')Gallirallus owstoni GuamRail02.jpg 2000 [15]
Hawaii Nene Branta sandvicensis Branta sandvicensis -WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, England-8a.jpg 1957 [16]
Idaho Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides Mountain Bluebird.jpg 1931 [17]
Illinois Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1929 [18]
Indiana Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1933 [19]
Iowa Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch)Spinus tristis tristis Carduelis-tristis-002.jpg 1933 [20]
Kansas Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta WesternMeadowlark23.jpg 1933 [21]
Kentucky Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1926 [22]
Louisiana Eastern brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Brown pelican - natures pics.jpg 1966 [23]
Maine Chickadee Poecile, species not specified
(de facto Poecile atricapillus) [24]
Poecile-atricapilla-001.jpg 1927 [25]
Maryland Baltimore oriole Icterus galbula Icterus-galbula-002.jpg 1947 [26]
Massachusetts Black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapilla Poecile-atricapilla-001.jpg 1941 [27]
Michigan American robin Turdus migratorius Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg 1931 [28]
Minnesota Common loon Gavia immer Common Loon head sideways.jpg 1961 [29]
Mississippi Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg 1944 [30]
Missouri Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis EasternbluebirdB9.jpg 1927 [31]
Montana Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta WesternMeadowlark23.jpg 1941 [32]
Nebraska Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta WesternMeadowlark23.jpg 1929 [33]
Nevada Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides Mountain Bluebird.jpg 1967 [34]
New Hampshire Purple finch Carpodacus purpureus Purple Finch.jpg 1957 [35]
New Jersey Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch)Spinus tristis tristis Carduelis-tristis-002.jpg 1935 [36]
New Mexico Greater roadrunner Geococcyx californianus Geococcyx californianus.jpg 1949 [37]
New York Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis EasternbluebirdB9.jpg 1970 [38]
North Carolina Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1943 [39]
North Dakota Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta WesternMeadowlark23.jpg 1970 [40]
Northern Mariana Islands Mariana fruit-dove Ptilinopus roseicapilla Stavenn Ptilinopus roseicapilla 01.jpg  ?
Ohio Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1933 [41]
Oklahoma Scissor-tailed flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus Scissortailedfly700.JPG 1951 [42]
Oregon Western meadowlark (state songbird) and
osprey (state raptor) [a]
Sturnella neglecta WesternMeadowlark23.jpg 1927 [44]
2017 [45]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse
(state game bird) [b]
Bonasa umbellus Ruffed Grouse (18645551408).jpg 1931
Puerto Rico Puerto Rican spindalis (de facto)Spindalis portoricensis Puerto Rican Stripe-headed Tanager (male) (5403225223).jpg [47] [48]
Rhode Island Rhode Island Red Gallus gallus Rhode Island Red.jpg 1954 [49]
South Carolina Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus Carolina Wren 2.jpg 1948 [50]
South Dakota Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus Phasianus colchicus 2 tom (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg 1943 [51]
Tennessee Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg 1933 [52]
Texas Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg 1927 [53]
Utah California gull Larus californicus CaliforniaGull23.jpg 1955 [54]
Vermont Hermit thrush Catharus guttatus Hermitthrush63.jpg 1941 [55]
Virgin Islands Bananaquit Coereba flaveola Bananaquits.jpg 1970
Virginia Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1950 [56]
Washington Willow goldfinch (American goldfinch)Spinus tristis salicamans Male American Goldfinch in Lodi CA.JPG 1951 [57]
West Virginia Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Cardinal.jpg 1949 [58]
Wisconsin American robin Turdus migratorius Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg 1949 [59]
Wyoming Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta WesternMeadowlark23.jpg 1927 [60]

Notes

  1. The western meadowlark was proclaimed the state bird of Oregon by Governor I. L. Patterson in 1927, but the Legislative Assembly never adopted it as official state bird. In 2017, the western meadowlark was made the official state songbird and the osprey was made the official state raptor. [43]
  2. The ruffed grouse was named Pennsylvania's "state game bird" per 1931 Act 234. [46]

Other state birds

In addition to having a state bird, some states have chosen a state game bird (or state wild game bird), a state waterfowl (or state duck), a state raptor, or a bird as their state symbol of peace.

StateState birdScientific namePhotographyYear
Alabama Wild turkey
(state game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo Gall-dindi.jpg 1980 [61]
Georgia Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)
Colinus virginianus Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065.jpg 1970 [62]
Idaho Peregrine falcon
(state raptor)
Falco peregrinus Falco peregrinus good - Christopher Watson.jpg 2004 [63]
Massachusetts Wild turkey
(state game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo Gall-dindi.jpg 1991 [64]
Mississippi Wood duck
(state waterfowl)
Aix sponsa Brautente Wood Duck Aix sponsa.jpg 1974 [65]
Missouri Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)
Colinus virginianus Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065.jpg 2007 [66]
New Hampshire Red-tailed hawk
(state raptor)
Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed Hawk.jpg 2019 [67]
Oklahoma Wild turkey
(state game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo Gall-dindi.jpg 1990 [68]
Oregon Osprey
(state raptor)
Pandion haliaetus 20100709d.jpg 2017 [69]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse
(state game bird)
Bonasa umbellus Bonasa-umbellus-001edit1.jpg 1931 [3]
South Carolina Northern mockingbird
(former state bird)
Mimus polyglottos Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg 1939 –
1948 [50]
Wild turkey
(state wild game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo Gall-dindi.jpg 1976 [70]
Wood duck
(state duck)
Aix sponsa Brautente Wood Duck Aix sponsa.jpg 2009 [71]
Tennessee Bobwhite quail
(state wild game bird)
Colinus virginianus Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065.jpg 1987 [72]
Wisconsin Eastern mourning dove
(state symbol of peace)
Zenaida macroura carolinensis Mourning Dove 2006.jpg 1971 [73]

States with the same state bird

Some state birds are shared between multiple states. Of the 50 states, a total of 32 do not have a unique state bird.

.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Northern cardinal

Western meadowlark

Northern mockingbird

American robin

American goldfinch

Chickadee

Chicken

Eastern bluebird

Mountain bluebird

Unique state bird U.S. state birds map.svg

  Northern cardinal
  Western meadowlark
  Northern mockingbird
  American robin
  American goldfinch
  Chickadee
  Chicken
  Eastern bluebird
  Mountain bluebird
  Unique state bird
Bird# of states
Northern cardinal 7
Western meadowlark 6
Northern mockingbird 5 [a]
Wild turkey
(state game bird or wild game bird)
4
American robin 3
Bobwhite quail
(state game bird or wild game bird)
3
American goldfinch 3 [b]
Chickadee 2 [c]
Chicken 2 [d]
Eastern bluebird 2
Mountain bluebird 2
Wood duck
(state waterfowl or duck)
2

See also

Notes

  1. and formerly South Carolina
  2. 2 as "eastern goldfinch", 1 as "willow goldfinch"
  3. 1 as "black-capped chickadee", 1 as "chickadee"
  4. 1 as "Rhode Island Red", 1 as "Delaware Blue Hen"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern meadowlark</span> Species of bird

The eastern meadowlark is a medium-sized blackbird, very similar in appearance to sister species western meadowlark. It occurs from eastern North America to northern South America, where it is also most widespread in the east. The Chihuahuan meadowlark was formerly considered to be conspecific with the eastern meadowlark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western meadowlark</span> Medium sized bird of North America with distinctive yellow chest

The western meadowlark is a medium-sized icterid bird, about 8.5 in (22 cm) in length. It nests on the ground in open grasslands across western and central North America. It feeds mostly on bugs, but will also feed on seeds and berries. The western meadowlark has distinctive calls described as watery or flute-like, which distinguish it from the closely related eastern meadowlark. The western meadowlark is the state bird of six states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zumwalt Prairie</span> Grassland area in northeast Oregon

Zumwalt Prairie is a grassland area located in Wallowa County in northeast Oregon, United States. Measuring 330,000 acres (130,000 ha), much of the land is used for agriculture, with some portions protected as the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy. Part of that portion is designated as a National Natural Landmark. The high elevation prairie is along the west edge of Hells Canyon on the Oregon-Idaho border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chihuahuan meadowlark</span> Subspecies of bird

Chihuahuan meadowlark, also known as Lilian's meadowlark, is a bird in the family Icteridae. It is found in northern Mexico and the southwestern portion of the United States. It was formerly usually treated as a subspecies of the eastern meadowlark.

References

  1. Courtney, David. "The Texanist: Why Do We Share a State Bird With Five Other States?". Texas Monthly. No. October 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  2. "GFWC Federation Facts". General Federation of Women's Clubs. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  3. 1 2 "1931 Act 234", Unconsolidated Statutes, Pennsylvania General Assembly, archived from the original on 2020-08-03, retrieved 2020-06-02
  4. 1 2 "District of Columbia State Bird". District of Columbia State Symbols. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  5. "Alabama State Bird". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives and History. 2006-04-27. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  6. "Alaska State Bird". Alaska History, Geography, Population and State Facts. Fact Monster. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  7. "Arizona State Bird". Arizona State Bird- Cactus Wren. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  8. "Arkansas State Bird". Arkansas State Bird- Mockingbird. About. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  9. "California State Bird". California State Bird- California Quail. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  10. "Colorado State Bird". Colorado State Bird- Lark Bunting. About. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29.
  11. "Connecticut State Bird". The State Bird. State of Connecticut. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  12. "Delaware State Bird". California State Bird- Blue Hen Chicken. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  13. "Florida State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2006-04-27.
  14. "Georgia State Bird". Georgia State Bird Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  15. "Public Laws 25th". Designation of "KO'KO" as the official Bird of Guam. Guam Legislature. Archived from the original on 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  16. "Hawaii State Bird". The Nene Goose- Branta Sandvicensis-Hawaii's State Bird. Aloha-Hawaii. November 2009. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  17. "Idaho State Bird". Idaho State Bird Mountain Bluebird. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  18. "State Symbols". State of Illinois. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  19. "Indiana State Bird". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 19 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  20. "Iowa State Bird". Iowa State Bird Eastern Goldfinch Carduelis tristis. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  21. "Kansas State Bird". Kansas State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  22. "Kentucky State Bird". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on 2010-03-18.
  23. "Louisiana State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2007-02-28.
  24. "Maine lawmakers end the flap over Maine's state bird". Press Herald. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  25. The problem with naming 'the chickadee' as Maine's state bird Archived 2019-03-07 at the Wayback Machine Bangor Daily News. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  26. "Maryland State Bird". Louisiana State Bird Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  27. "Massachusetts State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  28. "Michigan State Bird". Michigan State Bird American Robin Turdus migratorius. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  29. "Minnesota State Bird". Minnesota State Bird Common Loon Gavia immer. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  30. "Mississippi State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  31. "State Symbols of Missouri". Missouri's State Bird. Missouri Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  32. "Montana State Bird". Michigan State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  33. "Western Meadowlark", NebraskAccess, Nebraska State Symbols, Nebraska Library Commission, archived from the original on 2020-06-19, retrieved 2020-06-18
  34. "Nevada State Bird". Nevada State Bird, mountain bluebird. Val-U-Corp Services, Inc. Archived from the original on 2015-01-14. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  35. "New Hampshire State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  36. "New Jersey State Symbols". The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  37. "New Mexico State Bird – Roadrunner". New Mexico State Bird – Roadrunner – Geococcyx californianus. 50states.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  38. "New York State Bird". New York State Bird Bluebird Sialia sialis. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  39. "North Carolina State Bird". Cardinal- North Carolina State Bird. NC Department of State. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  40. "North Dakota State Bird". North Dakota State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  41. "Ohio State Bird". Ohio's State Bird- The Cardinal. Ohio History Central. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
  42. "Oklahoma State Bird". Birds of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on 2008-02-19.
  43. Oregon Legislature names osprey; keeps meadowlark
  44. "Oregon State Bird". Oregon State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  45. "Senate Concurrent Resolution 18". Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  46. "Ruffed Grouse Adopted as State Bird". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  47. "¿Tenemos o no un ave nacional?". La Perla del Sur. Archived from the original on 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  48. Debate por el Ave Nacional (primera parte). Archived 2020-10-24 at the Wayback Machine CienciaPR. Accessed 19 October 2020.
  49. "Rhode Island State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  50. 1 2 "SC Statehouse Student's web page, State Symbols and Emblems, State Bird". South Carolina General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  51. "South Dakota State Bird". South Dakota State Bird Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  52. "Tennessee State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  53. "Texas State Bird". The Texas State Bird: Mockingbird. Lone Star Junction. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2007.
  54. "Utah State Bird". Utah State Bird California Gull Larus californicus. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  55. "Vermont State Bird". Vermont State Bird- Hermit Thrush. About. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29.
  56. "Virginia State Bird". Netstate. 2005-04-17. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  57. "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
  58. "West Virginia State Bird". Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  59. "Wisconsin State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2006-01-12. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  60. "Wyoming Facts and Symbols". State of Wyoming. Archived from the original on 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  61. "Official Alabama Game Bird". Alabama Emblems, Symb and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives and History. 2003-11-17. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  62. "Georgia Secretary of State – State Game Bird". Georgia Secretary of State. State of Georgia. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  63. "Idaho State Raptor". Idaho State Raptor Peregrine Falcon. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  64. "CIS: State Symbols". Archived from the original on 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  65. "Mississippi State Symbols, Emblems, and Mascots". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2006-01-07. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  66. "HOUSE BILL NO. 576" (PDF). HOUSE BILL NO. 576 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY. State of Missouri. Archived from the original on 2010-06-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  67. "State Raptor, New Hampshire Almanac". State of New Hampshire. Archived from the original on 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  68. "Oklahoma State Game Bird". Official State Game Birds. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  69. "Oregon Almanac: Abbreviation to Crustacean". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  70. "SC Statehouse Student's web page, State Symbols and Emblems, State Wild Game Bird". South Carolina General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  71. "South Carolina State Duck". Official State Ducks. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  72. "Tennessee State Symbols". Tennessee State General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09.
  73. "Wisconsin Historical Society". Wisconsin State Symbols. Wisconsin Historical Society. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2020.