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Charting Nature |
Official State Birds
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This factoid is accompanied by the State Birds of the United States chart by Judy Jones. Click Here for more information.
Symbols, such as the official state designation of a bird, demonstrate our respect for and recognition of the diversity of our physical universe. How ironic then, that a number of these select birds have, despite their designation, become extinct or ended up on endangered animal or species lists.
The study of a state bird designation can also provide an interesting historical perspective as to events taking place during that period of a State's history. Birds are among the most popular symbols in the United States and Canada. Every state and Canadian province and territory has an official bird. Some states even have two official birds.
Here are some factoids on some popular, or otherwise interesting, state birds:
This bird's scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, means, "mimic of many tongues." The Mockingbird can not only mimic more than 30 other songbirds, but also the sounds of barking dogs, chirping crickets and even squeaky hinges.
Additional Links to Explore on State Birds:
Geobop's State & Provincial Bird Page -
Where you can research about the state or bird of your choice.
The 50 State List of Official State Birds by Webber Publications -
Site features include pages drawn from: "Audubon's Birds of America" an 1840 "First Octavo Edition" of John J. Audubon's complete seven volume text.
The Complete List of Charting Nature Factoids:
A very shy, somewhat nondescript little bird. The Hermit Thrush was chosen by the state of Vermont because of its exquisite flute-like song; a trait, which also resulted in it being likewise, dubbed America's "nightingale".
A strikingly beautiful bird with its bright red body and crested head. It is also unusual in that cardinals mate for life, returning year after year to the same place with the same mate. The Northern Cardinal is claimed by seven states as their state bird - the most of any of the state birds.
The Baltimore Oriole was named for Lord Baltimore, the founder of Maryland, because the bird, like the Lord, wore orange and black colors. The bird also makes a very interesting nest, which is a pouch that hangs from several branches.
The Flycatcher's exceptionally long tail - often nine inches on the adult male - often causes people to refer to this beautiful, elegant bird as the "bird of paradise". While flying, it opens and closes this tail like a pair of scissors. During the males courting dance, he is also known to climb to about a hundred feet, and dive down a fourth of the way, zigzagging back up into the sky, and then plummeting down again. A truly exceptional display.
The Thrasher is extremely flexible due to the fact that it has more vertebrae in its neck than a giraffe! It can preen its feathers on the back of its neck, and even under its throat.
Gratitude was most likely responsible for the California Gull's designation by Utah. It seems that in the summer of 1848 a flock of California Gulls devoured a swarm of crickets that were threatening to destroy the settlers' crops.
Poultry, especially chicken, has long been an important social and economic symbol of well being of the State of Delaware. The Delaware Blue Hen is not a recognized breed or strain of chicken, however. The term evolved through a historical account, and refers to fighting gamecocks that gained fame during the Revolutionary war. Some reports have also held that a regiment of militia may have similarly dubbed the Blue Hens "Chickens", when they gained a reputation for their ferocity and success in battle.
Offical State Bird Table
Alabama - Yellowhammer
Alaska - Willow Ptarmigan Arizona - Cactus Wren
Arkansas - Mockingbird California - California Quail
Colorado - Lark Bunting Connecticut - American Robin
Delaware - Blue Hen Chicken Florida - Mockingbird
Georgia - Brown Thresher Hawaii - Hawaiian Goose
Idaho - Mountain Bluebird Illinois - Cardinal
Indiana - Cardinal Iowa - American Goldfinch
Kansas - Western Meadowlark Kentucky - Cardinal
Louisiana - Brown Pelican Maine - Black - Capped Chickadee
Maryland - Baltimore Oriole Massachusetts - Black-Capped Chickadee
Michigan - American Robin Minnesota - Common Loon
Mississippi - Mockingbird Missouri - Eastern Bluebird
Montana - Western Meadowlark Nebraska - Western Meadowlark
Nevada - Mountain Bluebird New Hampshire - Purple Finch
New Jersey - American Goldfinch New Mexico - Roadrunner
New York - Eastern Bluebird North Carolina - Cardinal
North Dakota - Western Meadowlark Ohio - Cardinal
Oklahoma - Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher Oregon - Western Meadowlark
Pennsylvania - Ruffed Grouse Rhode Island - Rhode Island Red
South Carolina - Carolina Wren South Dakota - Ring-Necked Pheasant
Tennessee - Mockingbird Texas - Mockingbird
Utah - California Gull Vermont - Hermit Thrush
Virginia - Cardinal West Virginia - Cardinal
Washington - American Goldfinch Wisconsin - American Robin
Wyoming - Western Meadowlark
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