List of United States official state birds
Across the United States of America, each of its 50 states proudly boasts its own official state bird, chosen to represent the unique character and heritage of its region. Let's take flight on a journey across the country and explore the diverse avian ambassadors that grace the skies from coast to coast!
The state bird of Alabama is the Yellowhammer (Northern Flicker)
The Yellowhammer, also known as the Northern Flicker, was designated as Alabama's state bird in 1927. With its distinctive yellow underwings and rhythmic drumming call, this woodpecker adds a splash of color and melody to the forests of the Yellowhammer State.
The state bird of Alaska is the Willow Ptarmigan
Alaska's state bird, the Willow Ptarmigan, is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its tundra habitat. Its seasonal transformation from mottled brown in summer to snowy white in winter mirrors the stark beauty of the Last Frontier.
The state bird of Arizona is the Cactus Wren
The Cactus Wren, with its distinctive white eyebrow stripe and melodious song, embodies the resilient spirit of the desert Southwest. Chosen as Arizona's state bird in 1931, it thrives in the arid landscapes dotted with saguaro cacti and mesquite trees.
The state bird of Arkansas is the Northern Mockingbird
Known for its exceptional vocal mimicry, the Northern Mockingbird was designated as Arkansas' state bird in 1929. Its ability to imitate the songs of other birds reflects the rich musical heritage of the Natural State.
The state bird of California is the California Quail
The California Quail, with its elegant plumage and charming topknot, represents the rugged beauty of the Golden State. Chosen as California's state bird in 1931, it is a common sight in the chaparral and scrubland of the Pacific coast.
The state bird of Colorado is the Lark Bunting
With its striking black and white plumage and melodious song, the Lark Bunting captures the essence of the Colorado prairies. Designated as Colorado's state bird in 1931, it is often spotted in open grasslands and sagebrush habitats.
The state bird of Connecticut is the American Robin
The American Robin, with its cheerful red breast and sweet song, was named Connecticut's state bird in 1943. Its arrival in spring is eagerly awaited as a sign of warmer days ahead in the Nutmeg State.
The state bird of Delaware is the Delaware Blue Hen Chicken
The Delaware Blue Hen Chicken holds a special place in the history and folklore of the First State. Known for its fighting spirit and blue plumage, it was designated as Delaware's state bird in 1939.
The state bird of Florida is the Northern Mockingbird
Sharing its state bird with Arkansas, the Northern Mockingbird was also chosen as Florida's avian ambassador in 1927. Its beautiful song and adaptability make it a fitting symbol for the Sunshine State.
The state bird of Georgia is the Brown Thrasher
With its rich, melodious song and striking plumage, the Brown Thrasher embodies the spirit of Georgia's diverse ecosystems. Designated as Georgia's state bird in 1935, it is a beloved resident of forests, parks, and gardens across the state.
The state bird of Hawaii is the Hawaiian Goose (Nene)
Hawaii's state bird, the Hawaiian Goose or Nene, is a symbol of the state's unique wildlife and conservation efforts. With its distinctive appearance and gentle demeanor, it represents the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Aloha State.
The state bird of Idaho is the Mountain Bluebird
Idaho's state bird, the Mountain Bluebird, graces the state's mountainous regions with its brilliant azure plumage and melodious song. Its presence brings a touch of color and melody to Idaho's rugged landscapes, symbolizing the state's natural beauty and abundance.
The state bird of Illinois is the Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal, with its vibrant red plumage and clear, whistled song, is a beloved symbol of Illinois' woodlands and urban areas. Its cheerful presence brightens the Prairie State's landscapes year-round.
The state bird of Indiana is the Northern Cardinal
Indiana's state bird, the Northern Cardinal, is a year-round resident of the Hoosier State's woodlands and backyards. Its vibrant red plumage and melodious song make it a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
The state bird of Iowa is the Eastern Goldfinch
Iowa's state bird, the Eastern Goldfinch, adds a vibrant touch to the state's woodlands and prairies with its bright yellow plumage and melodious song. Its cheerful presence is a welcome sight for birdwatchers across the Hawkeye State.
The state bird of Kansas is the Western Meadowlark
The Western Meadowlark, with its cheerful melody and vibrant yellow breast, embodies the spirit of Kansas' grasslands and prairies. Its melodious song is often heard across the open spaces of the Sunflower State.
The state bird of Kentucky is the Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal, with its brilliant red plumage and clear, whistled song, is a beloved symbol of Kentucky's woodlands and gardens. Its cheerful presence brightens the Bluegrass State's landscapes year-round.
The state bird of Louisiana is the Eastern Brown Pelican
The Eastern Brown Pelican, with its distinctive appearance and graceful flight, is a symbol of Louisiana's coastal habitats and abundant birdlife. Its presence highlights the state's rich biodiversity and natural resources.
The state bird of Maine is the Black-capped Chickadee
Maine's state bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, is a year-round resident of the Pine Tree State's forests and woodlands. Its cheerful song and bold personality make it a beloved symbol of Maine's wilderness areas.
The state bird of Maryland is the Baltimore Oriole
Maryland's state bird, the Baltimore Oriole, is a symbol of the state's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. With its vibrant orange plumage and melodious song, it brightens the Old Line State's woodlands and gardens.
The state bird of Massachusetts is the Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee, with its cheerful song and bold personality, is a year-round resident of Massachusetts' forests and woodlands. Its presence adds a touch of whimsy to the Bay State's natural landscapes.
The state bird of Michigan is the American Robin
The American Robin, with its cheerful song and vibrant red breast, is a symbol of Michigan's arrival of spring and the changing of the seasons. Its presence heralds the return of warmer weather and the renewal of life in the Great Lakes State.
The state bird of Minnesota is the Common Loon
Minnesota's state bird, the Common Loon, is a symbol of the state's pristine lakes and wilderness areas. With its haunting, yodel-like call and striking black and white plumage, it embodies the spirit of the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The state bird of Mississippi is the Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird, with its exceptional vocal mimicry and bold personality, is a symbol of Mississippi's rich musical heritage and diverse ecosystems. Its melodious song can be heard echoing across the Magnolia State's woodlands and urban areas.
The state bird of Missouri is the Eastern Bluebird
Missouri's state bird, the Eastern Bluebird, captivates with its vibrant blue plumage and sweet, melodious song. It symbolizes the state's commitment to conservation and the restoration of its natural habitats.
The state bird of Montana is the Western Meadowlark
The Western Meadowlark, with its cheerful melody and vibrant yellow breast, embodies the spirit of Montana's grasslands and prairies. Its melodious song is often heard across the open spaces of Big Sky Country.
The state bird of Nebraska is the Western Meadowlark
Similar to Montana, Nebraska also chose the Western Meadowlark as its state bird. This iconic songbird, with its distinctive flute-like song, symbolizes the beauty of the Great Plains and the agricultural heritage of the Cornhusker State.
The state bird of Nevada is the Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird, with its azure plumage and gentle demeanor, graces the skies of Nevada's mountainous regions. Its presence brings a splash of color to the rugged landscapes of the Silver State.
The state bird of New Hampshire is the Purple Finch
New Hampshire's state bird, the Purple Finch, adds a vibrant touch to the state's woodlands and forests with its rosy plumage and melodious song. Its cheerful presence is a welcome sight for birdwatchers across the Granite State.
The state bird of New Jersey is the Eastern Goldfinch
The Eastern Goldfinch, with its bright yellow plumage and joyful twittering song, represents the Garden State's lush landscapes and abundant wildlife. Its presence brings a burst of color to New Jersey's gardens and parks.
The state bird of New Mexico is the Greater Roadrunner
The Greater Roadrunner, with its distinctive appearance and quirky behavior, is a fitting representative of New Mexico's desert landscapes and rich biodiversity. Its ability to thrive in arid environments reflects the resilience of the Land of Enchantment.
The state bird of New York is the Eastern Bluebird
New York's state bird, the Eastern Bluebird, captivates with its vibrant blue plumage and sweet, melodious song. It symbolizes the state's commitment to conservation and the restoration of its natural habitats.
The state bird of North Carolina is the Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal, with its brilliant red plumage and clear, whistled song, is a beloved symbol of North Carolina's woodlands and gardens. Its cheerful presence brightens the Tar Heel State's landscapes year-round.
The state bird of North Dakota is the Western Meadowlark
Similar to its neighboring states, North Dakota also chose the Western Meadowlark as its avian representative. This iconic songbird, with its flute-like song, is a familiar sight and sound across the state's prairies and grasslands.
The state bird of Ohio is the Northern Cardinal
Ohio's state bird, the Northern Cardinal, is a year-round resident of the Buckeye State's woodlands and backyards. Its vibrant red plumage and melodious song make it a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
The state bird of Oklahoma is the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, with its elegant appearance and graceful aerial maneuvers, is a symbol of Oklahoma's wide-open spaces and abundant birdlife. Its long, forked tail and aerial acrobatics make it a distinctive sight in the Sooner State.
The state bird of Oregon is the Western Meadowlark
Oregon shares the Western Meadowlark as its state bird with several other states in the region. This iconic songbird, with its cheerful melody and yellow breast, is a familiar sight in the state's grasslands and agricultural fields.
The state bird of Pennsylvania is the Ruffed Grouse
The Ruffed Grouse, with its cryptic plumage and drumming displays, is a symbol of Pennsylvania's rugged forests and wilderness areas. Its presence highlights the state's rich hunting and outdoor heritage.
The state bird of Rhode Island is the Rhode Island Red Chicken
The Rhode Island Red Chicken, with its distinctive red plumage and prolific egg-laying abilities, is a symbol of Rhode Island's agricultural heritage and small-scale farming traditions.
The state bird of South Carolina is the Carolina Wren
South Carolina's state bird, the Carolina Wren, is a year-round resident of the Palmetto State's woodlands and suburban areas. Its cheerful song and bold personality make it a beloved symbol of South Carolina's natural beauty.
The state bird of South Dakota is the Ring-necked Pheasant
The Ring-necked Pheasant, with its colorful plumage and distinctive cackling call, is a symbol of South Dakota's agricultural landscapes and hunting traditions. Its introduction to the state in the late 19th century has made it a beloved game bird and iconic symbol of the Mount Rushmore State.
The state bird of Tennessee is the Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird, with its exceptional vocal mimicry and bold personality, is a symbol of Tennessee's rich musical heritage and diverse ecosystems. Its melodious song can be heard echoing across the Volunteer State's woodlands and urban areas.
The state bird of Texas is the Northern Mockingbird
Sharing its state bird with several other states, Texas also chose the Northern Mockingbird as its avian representative. This iconic songbird, with its beautiful song and adaptability, is a familiar sight in the Lone Star State's parks, gardens, and suburban neighborhoods.
The state bird of Utah is the California Gull
Utah's state bird, the California Gull, is a symbol of the state's pioneering spirit and cooperative efforts to combat insect plagues in the mid-19th century. Its graceful flight and white plumage make it a familiar sight along the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
The state bird of Vermont is the Hermit Thrush
Vermont's state bird, the Hermit Thrush, is a symbol of the state's rugged forests and natural beauty. Its haunting, flute-like song and russet-colored plumage make it a beloved symbol of the Green Mountain State's wilderness areas.
The state bird of Virginia is the Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal, with its brilliant red plumage and clear, whistled song, is a beloved symbol of Virginia's woodlands and gardens. Its cheerful presence brightens the Old Dominion State's landscapes year-round.
The state bird of Washington is the Willow Goldfinch
The Willow Goldfinch, with its bright yellow plumage and cheerful twittering song, is a symbol of Washington's lush landscapes and abundant birdlife. Its presence adds a burst of color to the Evergreen State's gardens and parks.
The state bird of West Virginia is the Northern Cardinal
Similar to its neighboring states, West Virginia also chose the Northern Cardinal as its state bird. This iconic songbird, with its vibrant red plumage and melodious song, is a year-round resident of the Mountain State's forests and backyards.
The state bird of Wisconsin is the American Robin
The American Robin, with its cheerful song and vibrant red breast, is a symbol of Wisconsin's arrival of spring and the changing of the seasons. Its presence heralds the return of warmer weather and the renewal of life in the Badger State.
The state bird of Wyoming is the Western Meadowlark
Wyoming's state bird, the Western Meadowlark, is a familiar sight and sound across the state's vast prairies and grasslands. Its cheerful melody and vibrant yellow breast symbolize the beauty and abundance of the Equality State's natural landscapes.
And there you have it! State birds play an important role in representing and celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of each state, while also promoting conservation and environmental awareness.
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