by BA Nester
Always having been a ‘birdy’ kind of kid, I was very interested when my Dad told me the American Robin was our State Bird. Really? We have a State Bird? Does every State have one? Certainly. Are they all different? We’d better head to the library (that was waaaaaay before anyone had even thought of Google!) and do some research.
And so my journey to learn about State Birds began. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but as a young adult lived in Illinois, Minnesota, then Washington and finally in Florida. Each time I would move I would learn about our new State Bird. I guess being a Bird-Brain never really leaves! So here is some information about Your State Bird.
In 1927, seven state legislatures decided to select a State Bird. Those early selectors were Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming. That selection process continued on for 46 years until Arizona finally selected their State Bird in 1973. Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia only Pennsylvania does not have a single state bird registered. Instead, they have a list of various birds, waterfowl, game birds, flowers, trees, etc. Of the 50 states, 30 of them share the same 7 birds. That means only 20 states have chosen a unique State Bird.
That said, what do you think is the most popular State Bird with 7 states? Do you think it’s a well-loved Hummingbird? Maybe a beautiful Painted Bunting? Nope! It’s the iconic Northern Cardinal! EVERYONE loves the beautiful red Cardinal! The 7 states which share the Northern Cardinal are Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
The second most popular choice for State Bird is the Western Meadowlark with its beautiful, flute-like song. It comes in sharing 6 Western states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming.
The ever-chattering Northern Mockingbird comes in next with 5 states. If you have not had the pleasure of living with Mockingbirds, you are missing a good laugh as you try to identify birds by song. The N. Mockingbird is a great imitator! You think you are hearing a Cardinal, but wait! It’s song is going on way too long! Suddenly it morphs into something completely different! MAN! It’s a Mockingbird. They are usually the bird you hear deep into the night. The 5 lucky Southern States which selected the Northern Mockingbird are Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
Four states share the beautiful Bluebird as their State Bird. Idaho and Nevada share the Mountain Bluebird. Missouri and New York state share the ever-popular Eastern Bluebird!
Iowa and New Jersey share the Eastern Goldfinch, while Washington state claims the Willow Goldfinch. Three States for the sweet Goldfinch with its lovely, long and variable warbling songs.
Three States share the American Robin, the much-awaited-for harbinger of Spring in the wintery Northern states. It, too, is an iconic bird! The image of Robin Red-breast leaning back, pulling a huge worm out of the ground is one with which we are all familiar. The residents of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin all readily recognize the happy chirping of the American Robin.
The 2 final states which selected the same bird are Maine and Massachusetts. Their State Bird is the Chickadee, the Black-capped variety! Chickadees are one of my favorites to hand-feed black oil sunflower seeds or watch at the bird feeder. They are fast moving, quizzical and oh-so-cute with their bright black eyes, their little black caps and their sweet call, chick-a-dee-dee-dee!
That brings us to the final 20 states which have all selected a unique bird as their State Bird. I found the variety to be interesting. Some State Birds are named for or only found in that state. Others are common to their region. So here are the final 20, unique State Birds:
Alabama – Northern Flicker
Alaska – Willow Ptarmigan
Arizona – Cactus Wren
California – California Quail
Colorado – Lark Bunting
Delaware – Delaware Blue Hen
District of COlumbia – Wood Thrush
Georgia – Brown Thrasher
Hawaii – Nene, Hawaiian Blue Goose
Louisiana – Brown Pelican
Maryland – Baltimore Orioles
Minnesota – Common Loon
New Hampshire – Purple Finch
New Mexico – Great Roadrunner
Oklahoma – Scissor-tail Flycatcher
Rhode Island – Rhode Island Red
South Carolina – Carolina Wren
South Dakota – Pheasant
Utah – California Gull
Vermont – Hermit Thrush
There you have it! A wonderful, rich variety of North American Birds! I challenge you to learn all about your State Bird. Learn it’s songs, it’s habits, it’s habitat, it’s food sources and it’s migration patterns so you can readily identify it! Then get on out there and enjoy some Backyard Birding ….. and Beyond!