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
Northern Flicker.jpg
1927[5]
Alaska Willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus
Denali National Park Ptarmigan.jpg
1955[6]
American Samoa None
(See List of birds of American Samoa)
Arizona Cactus wren Campylorhynchus
brunneicapillus
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus 20061226.jpg
1973[7]
Arkansas Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg
1929[8]
California California quail Callipepla californica
California quail.jpg
1931[9]
Colorado Lark bunting Calamospiza melanocorys
Lark Bunting (male) Pawnee National Grasslands CO 2018-06-06 17-03-26 (40841912423).jpg
1931[10]
Connecticut American robin Turdus migratorius
Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg
1943[11]
Delaware Delaware Blue Hen Gallus gallus 1939[12]
District of Columbia Wood thrush Hylocichla mustelina
Hylocichla mustelina (cropped).jpg
1938[4]
Florida Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg
1927[13]
Georgia Brown thrasher Toxostoma rufum
Brown Thrasher-27527-2.jpg
1928[14]
Guam Guam rail (ko'ko') Gallirallus owstoni
GuamRail02.jpg
2000[15]
Hawaii Hawaiian goose (nēnē) Branta sandvicensis
Branta sandvicensis -WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, England-8a.jpg
1957[16]
Idaho Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides
Mountain Bluebird.jpg
1931[17]
Illinois Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1929[18]
Indiana Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1933[19]
Iowa Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) Spinus tristis
Carduelis-tristis-002.jpg
1933[20]
Kansas Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
WesternMeadowlark23.jpg
1933[21]
Kentucky Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1926[22]
Louisiana Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown pelican - natures pics.jpg
1966[23]
Maine Chickadee Not specified in state law
Poecile-atricapilla-001.jpg
1927[24]
Maryland Baltimore oriole Icterus galbula
Icterus-galbula-002.jpg
1947[25]
Massachusetts Black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapilla
Poecile-atricapilla-001.jpg
1941[26]
Michigan American robin Turdus migratorius
Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg
1931[27]
Minnesota Common loon Gavia immer
Common Loon head sideways.jpg
1961[28]
Mississippi Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg
1944[29]
Missouri Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis
EasternbluebirdB9.jpg
1927[30]
Montana Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
WesternMeadowlark23.jpg
1941[31]
Nebraska Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
WesternMeadowlark23.jpg
1929[32]
Nevada Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides
Mountain Bluebird.jpg
1967[33]
New Hampshire Purple finch Carpodacus purpureus
Purple Finch.jpg
1957[34]
New Jersey Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) Spinus tristis
Carduelis-tristis-002.jpg
1935[35]
New Mexico Greater roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
Geococcyx californianus.jpg
1949[36]
New York Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis
EasternbluebirdB9.jpg
1970[37]
North Carolina Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1943[38]
North Dakota Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
WesternMeadowlark23.jpg
1970[39]
Northern Mariana Islands Mariana fruit-dove Ptilinopus roseicapilla
Stavenn Ptilinopus roseicapilla 01.jpg
?
Ohio Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1933[40]
Oklahoma Scissor-tailed flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
Scissortailedfly700.JPG
1951[41]
Oregon Western meadowlark
(state songbird)[a]
Sturnella neglecta
WesternMeadowlark23.jpg
1927[43]
2017[44]
Pennsylvania None[b]
Puerto Rico None [46] [47]
Rhode Island Rhode Island Red Gallus gallus
Rhode Island Red.jpg
1954[48]
South Carolina Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
Carolina Wren 2.jpg
1948[49]
South Dakota Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Phasianus colchicus 2 tom (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg
1943[50]
Tennessee Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg
1933[51]
Texas Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg
1927[52]
Utah California gull Larus californicus
CaliforniaGull23.jpg
1955[53]
Vermont Hermit thrush Catharus guttatus
Hermitthrush63.jpg
1941[54]
Virgin Islands Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Bananaquits.jpg
1970
Virginia Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1950[55]
Washington Willow goldfinch (American goldfinch) Spinus tristis
Carduelis-tristis-002.jpg
1951[56]
West Virginia Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Cardinal.jpg
1949[57]
Wisconsin American robin Turdus migratorius
Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg
1949[58]
Wyoming Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
WesternMeadowlark23.jpg
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
Gall-dindi.jpg
1980[60]
Georgia Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)
Colinus virginianus
Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065.jpg
1970[61]
Idaho Peregrine falcon
(state raptor)
Falco peregrinus
Falco peregrinus good - Christopher Watson.jpg
2004[62]
Massachusetts Wild turkey
(state game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo
Gall-dindi.jpg
1991[63]
Mississippi Wood duck
(state waterfowl)
Aix sponsa
Brautente Wood Duck Aix sponsa.jpg
1974[64]
Missouri Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)
Colinus virginianus
Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065.jpg
2007[65]
New Hampshire Red-tailed hawk
(state raptor)
Buteo jamaicensis
Red-tailed Hawk.jpg
2019[66]
Oklahoma Wild turkey
(state game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo
Gall-dindi.jpg
1990[67]
Oregon Osprey
(state raptor)
Pandion haliaetus
20100709d.jpg
2017[68]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse
(state game bird)
Bonasa umbellus
Bonasa-umbellus-001edit1.jpg
1931[3]
South Carolina Northern mockingbird
(former state bird)
Mimus polyglottos
Mimus polyglottos adult 02 cropped.jpg
1939 –
1948[49]
Wild turkey
(state wild game bird)
Meleagris gallopavo
Gall-dindi.jpg
1976[69]
Wood duck
(state duck)
Aix sponsa
Brautente Wood Duck Aix sponsa.jpg
2009[70]
Tennessee Bobwhite quail
(state wild game bird)
Colinus virginianus
Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065.jpg
1987[71]
Wisconsin Eastern mourning dove
(state symbol of peace)
Zenaida macroura carolinensis
Mourning Dove 2006.jpg
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.

.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}  Northern cardinal   Western meadowlark   Northern mockingbird   American robin   American goldfinch   Chickadee   Chicken   Eastern bluebird   Mountain bluebird   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.
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  32. ^ "Western Meadowlark", NebraskAccess, Nebraska State Symbols, Nebraska Library Commission, retrieved 2020-06-18
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  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.((cite web)): CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  44. ^ "Senate Concurrent Resolution 18". Oregon State Legislature. Retrieved February 3, 2023.((cite web)): CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  47. ^ Debate por el Ave Nacional (primera parte). CienciaPR. Accessed 19 October 2020.
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  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.