List of U.S. state birds
Below is a list of U.S. state birds as designated by each state's, district's or territory's government.
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
[edit]State, district, or territory |
Bird | Scientific name | Picture | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Yellowhammer (northern flicker) | Colaptes auratus | 1927[5] | |
Alaska | Willow ptarmigan | Lagopus lagopus | 1955[6] | |
American Samoa | None, although the bald eagle displays on the flag. | — | — | — |
Arizona | Cactus wren | Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus |
1931[7] | |
Arkansas | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | 1929[8] | |
California | California quail | Callipepla californica | 1931[9] | |
Colorado | Lark bunting | Calamospiza melanocorys | 1931[10] | |
Connecticut | American robin | Turdus migratorius | 1943[11] | |
Delaware | Blue Hen Chicken | Gallus gallus | 1939[12] | |
District of Columbia | Wood thrush | Hylocichla mustelina | 1938[4] | |
Florida | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | 1927[13] | |
Georgia | Brown thrasher | Toxostoma rufum | 1928[14] | |
Guam | Guam rail (ko'ko') | Gallirallus owstoni | 2000[15] | |
Hawaii | Nene | Branta sandvicensis | 1957[16] | |
Idaho | Mountain bluebird | Sialia currucoides | 1931[17] | |
Illinois | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1929[18] | |
Indiana | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1933[19] | |
Iowa | Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) | Spinus tristis tristis | 1933[20] | |
Kansas | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | 1933[21] | |
Kentucky | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1926[22] | |
Louisiana | Eastern brown pelican | Pelecanus occidentalis | 1966[23] | |
Maine | Chickadee | Poecile, species not specified (de facto Poecile atricapillus)[24] |
1927[25] | |
Maryland | Baltimore oriole | Icterus galbula | 1947[26] | |
Massachusetts | Black-capped chickadee | Poecile atricapilla | 1941[27] | |
Michigan | American robin | Turdus migratorius | 1931[28] | |
Minnesota | Common loon | Gavia immer | 1961[29] | |
Mississippi | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | 1944[30] | |
Missouri | Eastern bluebird | Sialia sialis | 1927[31] | |
Montana | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | 1941[32] | |
Nebraska | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | 1929[33] | |
Nevada | Mountain bluebird | Sialia currucoides | 1967[34] | |
New Hampshire | Purple finch | Carpodacus purpureus | 1957[35] | |
New Jersey | Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) | Spinus tristis tristis | 1935[36] | |
New Mexico | Greater roadrunner | Geococcyx californianus | 1949[37] | |
New York | Eastern bluebird | Sialia sialis | 1970[38] | |
North Carolina | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1943[39] | |
North Dakota | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | 1970[40] | |
Northern Mariana Islands | Mariana fruit-dove | Ptilinopus roseicapilla | ? | |
Ohio | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1933[41] | |
Oklahoma | Scissor-tailed flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus | 1951[42] | |
Oregon | Western meadowlark (state songbird) and osprey (state raptor)[a] |
Sturnella neglecta | 1927[44] 2017[45] | |
Pennsylvania | Ruffed grouse (state game bird)[b] |
Bonasa umbellus | 1931 | |
Puerto Rico | Puerto Rican spindalis (de facto) | Spindalis portoricensis | —[47][48] | |
Rhode Island | Rhode Island Red | Gallus gallus | 1954[49] | |
South Carolina | Carolina wren | Thryothorus ludovicianus | 1948[50] | |
South Dakota | Ring-necked pheasant | Phasianus colchicus | 1943[51] | |
Tennessee | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | 1933[52] | |
Texas | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | 1927[53] | |
Utah | California gull | Larus californicus | 1955[54] | |
Vermont | Hermit thrush | Catharus guttatus | 1941[55] | |
Virgin Islands | Bananaquit | Coereba flaveola | 1970 | |
Virginia | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1950[56] | |
Washington | Willow goldfinch (American goldfinch) | Spinus tristis salicamans | 1951[57] | |
West Virginia | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | 1949[58] | |
Wisconsin | American robin | Turdus migratorius | 1949[59] | |
Wyoming | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | 1927[60] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ 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]
- ^ The ruffed grouse was named Pennsylvania's "state game bird" per 1931 Act 234.[46]
Other state birds
[edit]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.
State | State bird | Scientific name | Photography | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Wild turkey (state game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | 1980[61] | |
Georgia | Bobwhite quail (state game bird) |
Colinus virginianus | 1970[62] | |
Idaho | Peregrine falcon (state raptor) |
Falco peregrinus | 2004[63] | |
Massachusetts | Wild turkey (state game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | 1991[64] | |
Mississippi | Wood duck (state waterfowl) |
Aix sponsa | 1974[65] | |
Missouri | Bobwhite quail (state game bird) |
Colinus virginianus | 2007[66] | |
New Hampshire | Red-tailed hawk (state raptor) |
Buteo jamaicensis | 2019[67] | |
Oklahoma | Wild turkey (state game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | 1990[68] | |
Oregon | Osprey (state raptor) |
Pandion haliaetus | 2017[69] | |
Pennsylvania | Ruffed grouse (state game bird) |
Bonasa umbellus | 1931[3] | |
South Carolina | Northern mockingbird (former state bird) |
Mimus polyglottos | 1939 – 1948[50] | |
Wild turkey (state wild game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | 1976[70] | ||
Wood duck (state duck) |
Aix sponsa | 2009[71] | ||
Tennessee | Bobwhite quail (state wild game bird) |
Colinus virginianus | 1987[72] | |
Wisconsin | Eastern mourning dove (state symbol of peace) |
Zenaida macroura carolinensis | 1971[73] |
States with the same state bird
[edit]Some state birds are shared between multiple states. Of the 50 states, a total of 32 do not have a 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
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ and formerly South Carolina
- ^ 2 as "eastern goldfinch", 1 as "willow goldfinch"
- ^ 1 as "black-capped chickadee", 1 as "chickadee"
- ^ 1 as "Rhode Island Red", 1 as "Delaware Blue Hen"
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "GFWC Federation Facts". General Federation of Women's Clubs. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- ^ a b "1931 Act 234", Unconsolidated Statutes, Pennsylvania General Assembly, archived from the original on 2020-08-03, retrieved 2020-06-02
- ^ a b "District of Columbia State Bird". District of Columbia State Symbols. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Alaska State Bird". Alaska History, Geography, Population and State Facts. Fact Monster. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
- ^ "Arizona State Bird". Arizona State Bird- Cactus Wren. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
- ^ "Arkansas State Bird". Arkansas State Bird- Mockingbird. About. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
- ^ "California State Bird". California State Bird- California Quail. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
- ^ "Colorado State Bird". Colorado State Bird- Lark Bunting. About. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29.
- ^ "Connecticut State Bird". The State Bird. State of Connecticut. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Delaware State Bird". California State Bird- Blue Hen Chicken. 50 States. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Florida State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2006-04-27.
- ^ "Georgia State Bird". Georgia State Bird Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
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- ^ "State Symbols". State of Illinois. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ "Indiana State Bird". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on 19 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
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- ^ "Kentucky State Bird". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on 2010-03-18.
- ^ "Louisiana State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2007-02-28.
- ^ "Maine lawmakers end the flap over Maine's state bird". Press Herald. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Maryland State Bird". Louisiana State Bird Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
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- ^ "Michigan State Bird". Michigan State Bird American Robin Turdus migratorius. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Minnesota State Bird". Minnesota State Bird Common Loon Gavia immer. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Mississippi State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
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- ^ "Montana State Bird". Michigan State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Western Meadowlark", NebraskAccess, Nebraska State Symbols, Nebraska Library Commission, archived from the original on 2020-06-19, retrieved 2020-06-18
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- ^ "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.
- ^ "New York State Bird". New York State Bird Bluebird Sialia sialis. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
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- ^ "Oklahoma State Bird". Birds of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on 2008-02-19.
- ^ Oregon Legislature names osprey; keeps meadowlark
- ^ "Oregon State Bird". Oregon State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Senate Concurrent Resolution 18". Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "¿Tenemos o no un ave nacional?". La Perla del Sur. Archived from the original on 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ Debate por el Ave Nacional (primera parte). Archived 2020-10-24 at the Wayback Machine CienciaPR. Accessed 19 October 2020.
- ^ "Rhode Island State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "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.
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- ^ "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.
- ^ "Idaho State Raptor". Idaho State Raptor Peregrine Falcon. Netstate. Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
- ^ "CIS: State Symbols". Archived from the original on 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
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- ^ "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) - ^ "State Raptor, New Hampshire Almanac". State of New Hampshire. Archived from the original on 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
- ^ "Oklahoma State Game Bird". Official State Game Birds. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
- ^ "Oregon Almanac: Abbreviation to Crustacean". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "South Carolina State Duck". Official State Ducks. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
- ^ "Tennessee State Symbols". Tennessee State General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Wisconsin Historical Society". Wisconsin State Symbols. Wisconsin Historical Society. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2020.