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List of U.S. state birds

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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.[3]

Pennsylvania never chose an official state bird, but did choose the ruffed grouse as the state game bird. 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 Picture Year
Alabama Yellowhammer (northern flicker) Colaptes auratus 1927[5]
Alaska Willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus 1955[6]
American Samoa None
(See List of birds of American Samoa)		 — — —
Arizona Cactus wren Campylorhynchus
brunneicapillus		 1973[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 Delaware Blue Hen Gallus gallus File:BlueHenStandIn.jpg 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 Hawaiian goose (nēnē) 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 1933[20]
Kansas Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta 1933[21]
Kentucky Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1926[22]
Louisiana Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 1966[23]
Maine Chickadee Not specified in state law 1927[24]
Maryland Baltimore oriole Icterus galbula 1947[25]
Massachusetts Black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapilla 1941[26]
Michigan American robin Turdus migratorius 1931[27]
Minnesota Common loon Gavia immer 1961[28]
Mississippi Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 1944[29]
Missouri Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis 1927[30]
Montana Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta 1941[31]
Nebraska Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta 1929[32]
Nevada Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides 1967[33]
New Hampshire Purple finch Carpodacus purpureus 1957[34]
New Jersey Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) Spinus tristis 1935[35]
New Mexico Greater roadrunner Geococcyx californianus 1949[36]
New York Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis 1970[37]
North Carolina Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1943[38]
North Dakota Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta 1970[39]
Northern Mariana Islands Mariana fruit-dove Ptilinopus roseicapilla ?
Ohio Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1933[40]
Oklahoma Scissor-tailed flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus 1951[41]
Oregon Western meadowlark
(state songbird)[a]		 Sturnella neglecta 1927[43]
2017[44]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse[b] — — —
Puerto Rico None — — —[46] [47]
Rhode Island Rhode Island Red Gallus gallus 1954[48]
South Carolina Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 1948[49]
South Dakota Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1943[50]
Tennessee Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 1933[51]
Texas Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 1927[52]
Utah California gull Larus californicus 1955[53]
Vermont Hermit thrush Catharus guttatus 1941[54]
Virgin Islands Bananaquit Coereba flaveola 1970
Virginia Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1950[55]
Washington Willow goldfinch (American goldfinch) Spinus tristis 1951[56]
West Virginia Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1949[57]
Wisconsin American robin Turdus migratorius 1949[58]
Wyoming Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta 1927[59]

Notes

  1. ^ The western meadowlark was proclaimed the state bird by Governor I. L. Patterson in 1927. However, the Legislative Assembly never adopted it as official state bird of Oregon. In 2017, the western meadowlark was made the official state songbird and the osprey was made the official state raptor.[42]
  2. ^ The ruffed grouse was named the "state game bird" in 1931 Act 234.[45]

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.

State State bird Scientific name Photography Year
Alabama Wild turkey
(state game bird)		 Meleagris gallopavo 1980[60]
Georgia Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)		 Colinus virginianus 1970[61]
Idaho Peregrine falcon
(state raptor)		 Falco peregrinus 2004[62]
Massachusetts Wild turkey
(state game bird)		 Meleagris gallopavo 1991[63]
Mississippi Wood duck
(state waterfowl)		 Aix sponsa 1974[64]
Missouri Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)		 Colinus virginianus 2007[65]
New Hampshire Red-tailed hawk
(state raptor)		 Buteo jamaicensis 2019[66]
Oklahoma Wild turkey
(state game bird)		 Meleagris gallopavo 1990[67]
Oregon Osprey
(state raptor)		 Pandion haliaetus 2017[68]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse
(state game bird)		 Bonasa umbellus 1931[3]
South Carolina Northern mockingbird
(former state bird)		 Mimus polyglottos 1939 –
1948[49]
Wild turkey
(state wild game bird)		 Meleagris gallopavo 1976[69]
Wood duck
(state duck)		 Aix sponsa 2009[70]
Tennessee Bobwhite quail
(state wild game bird)		 Colinus virginianus 1987[71]
Wisconsin Eastern mourning dove
(state symbol of peace)		 Zenaida macroura carolinensis 1971[72]

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.


  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

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"

References

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