List of U.S. state birds
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.
Pennsylvania never chose an official state bird, but did choose the ruffed grouse as the state game bird.[3] 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
[edit]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, although the bald eagle is displayed on the flag. | — | — | — |
Arizona | Cactus wren | Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus |
![]() |
1931[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 | Blue Hen Chicken | Gallus gallus | ![]() |
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 | Nene (Hawaiian goose) | 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 tristis | ![]() |
1933[20] |
Kansas | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | ![]() |
1933[21] |
Kentucky | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | ![]() |
1926[22] |
Louisiana | Eastern brown pelican | Pelecanus occidentalis | ![]() |
1966[23] |
Maine | Chickadee | Poecile, species not specified (de facto Poecile atricapillus)[24] |
![]() |
1927[25] |
Maryland | Baltimore oriole | Icterus galbula | ![]() |
1947[26] |
Massachusetts | Black-capped chickadee | Poecile atricapilla | ![]() |
1941[27] |
Michigan | American robin | Turdus migratorius | ![]() |
1931[28] |
Minnesota | Common loon | Gavia immer | ![]() |
1961[29] |
Mississippi | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | ![]() |
1944[30] |
Missouri | Eastern bluebird | Sialia sialis | ![]() |
1927[31] |
Montana | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | ![]() |
1941[32] |
Nebraska | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | ![]() |
1929[33] |
Nevada | Mountain bluebird | Sialia currucoides | ![]() |
1967[34] |
New Hampshire | Purple finch | Carpodacus purpureus | ![]() |
1957[35] |
New Jersey | Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) | Spinus tristis tristis | ![]() |
1935[36] |
New Mexico | Greater roadrunner | Geococcyx californianus | ![]() |
1949[37] |
New York | Eastern bluebird | Sialia sialis | ![]() |
1970[38] |
North Carolina | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | ![]() |
1943[39] |
North Dakota | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | ![]() |
1970[40] |
Northern Mariana Islands | Mariana fruit-dove | Ptilinopus roseicapilla | ![]() |
? |
Ohio | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | ![]() |
1933[41] |
Oklahoma | Scissor-tailed flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus | 1951[42] | |
Oregon | Western meadowlark (state songbird) and osprey (state raptor)[a] |
Sturnella neglecta | ![]() |
1927[44] 2017[45] |
Pennsylvania | Ruffed grouse (state game bird)[b] |
Bonasa umbellus | ![]() |
1931 |
Puerto Rico | Puerto Rican spindalis (de facto) | Spindalis portoricensis | ![]() |
—[47][48] |
Rhode Island | Rhode Island Red | Gallus gallus | ![]() |
1954[49] |
South Carolina | Carolina wren | Thryothorus ludovicianus | ![]() |
1948[50] |
South Dakota | Ring-necked pheasant | Phasianus colchicus | ![]() |
1943[51] |
Tennessee | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | ![]() |
1933[52] |
Texas | Northern mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | ![]() |
1927[53] |
Utah | California gull | Larus californicus | ![]() |
1955[54] |
Vermont | Hermit thrush | Catharus guttatus | ![]() |
1941[55] |
Virgin Islands | Bananaquit | Coereba flaveola | ![]() |
1970 |
Virginia | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | ![]() |
1950[56] |
Washington | Willow goldfinch (American goldfinch) | Spinus tristis salicamans | 1951[57] | |
West Virginia | Northern cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | ![]() |
1949[58] |
Wisconsin | American robin | Turdus migratorius | ![]() |
1949[59] |
Wyoming | Western meadowlark | Sturnella neglecta | ![]() |
1927[60] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ The western meadowlark was proclaimed the state bird of Oregon by Governor I. L. Patterson in 1927, but the Legislative Assembly never adopted it as official state bird. In 2017, the western meadowlark was made the official state songbird and the osprey was made the official state raptor.[43]
- ^ The ruffed grouse was named Pennsylvania's "state game bird" per 1931 Act 234.[46]
Other state birds
[edit]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[61] |
Georgia | Bobwhite quail (state game bird) |
Colinus virginianus | ![]() |
1970[62] |
Idaho | Peregrine falcon (state raptor) |
Falco peregrinus | ![]() |
2004[63] |
Massachusetts | Wild turkey (state game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | ![]() |
1991[64] |
Mississippi | Wood duck (state waterfowl) |
Aix sponsa | ![]() |
1974[65] |
Missouri | Bobwhite quail (state game bird) |
Colinus virginianus | ![]() |
2007[66] |
New Hampshire | Red-tailed hawk (state raptor) |
Buteo jamaicensis | ![]() |
2019[67] |
Oklahoma | Wild turkey (state game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | ![]() |
1990[68] |
Oregon | Osprey (state raptor) |
Pandion haliaetus | ![]() |
2017[69] |
Pennsylvania | Ruffed grouse (state game bird) |
Bonasa umbellus | ![]() |
1931[3] |
South Carolina | Northern mockingbird (former state bird) |
Mimus polyglottos | ![]() |
1939 – 1948[50] |
Wild turkey (state wild game bird) |
Meleagris gallopavo | ![]() |
1976[70] | |
Wood duck (state duck) |
Aix sponsa | ![]() |
2009[71] | |
Tennessee | Bobwhite quail (state wild game bird) |
Colinus virginianus | ![]() |
1987[72] |
Wisconsin | Eastern mourning dove (state symbol of peace) |
Zenaida macroura carolinensis | ![]() |
1971[73] |
States with the same state bird
[edit]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 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ and formerly South Carolina
- ^ 2 as "eastern goldfinch", 1 as "willow goldfinch"
- ^ 1 as "black-capped chickadee", 1 as "chickadee"
- ^ 1 as "Rhode Island Red", 1 as "Delaware Blue Hen"
References
[edit]- ^ Courtney, David. "The Texanist: Why Do We Share a State Bird With Five Other States?". Texas Monthly. No. October 2019. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ "GFWC Federation Facts". General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC). General Federation of Women's Clubs. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "1931 Act 234", Unconsolidated Statutes, Pennsylvania General Assembly, archived from the original on August 3, 2020, retrieved June 2, 2020
- ^ a b "District of Columbia State Bird". District of Columbia State Symbols. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Alabama State Bird". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives and History. April 27, 2006. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
- ^ "Alaska State Bird". Alaska History, Geography, Population and State Facts. Fact Monster. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ "Arizona State Bird". Arizona State Bird- Cactus Wren. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ "Arkansas State Bird". Arkansas State Bird- Mockingbird. About. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ "California State Bird". California State Bird- California Quail. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ "Colorado State Bird". Colorado State Bird- Lark Bunting. About. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Connecticut State Bird". The State Bird. State of Connecticut. Archived from the original on June 27, 2007. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Delaware State Bird". California State Bird- Blue Hen Chicken. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Florida State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006.
- ^ "Georgia State Bird". Georgia State Bird Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Public Laws 25th". Designation of "KO'KO" as the official Bird of Guam. Guam Legislature. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Hawaii State Bird". The Nene Goose- Branta Sandvicensis-Hawaii's State Bird. Aloha-Hawaii. November 2009. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Idaho State Bird". Idaho State Bird Mountain Bluebird. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "State Symbols". State of Illinois. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Indiana State Bird". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Iowa State Bird". Iowa State Bird Eastern Goldfinch Carduelis tristis. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Kansas State Bird". Kansas State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Kentucky State Bird". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on March 18, 2010.
- ^ "Louisiana State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on February 28, 2007.
- ^ "Maine lawmakers end the flap over Maine's state bird". Press Herald. March 6, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ The problem with naming 'the chickadee' as Maine's state bird Archived 2019-03-07 at the Wayback Machine Bangor Daily News. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ "Maryland State Bird". Louisiana State Bird Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Massachusetts State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "Michigan State Bird". Michigan State Bird American Robin Turdus migratorius. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Minnesota State Bird". Minnesota State Bird Common Loon Gavia immer. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Mississippi State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "State Symbols of Missouri". Missouri's State Bird. Missouri Secretary of State. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ "Montana State Bird". Michigan State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Western Meadowlark", NebraskAccess, Nebraska State Symbols, Nebraska Library Commission, archived from the original on June 19, 2020, retrieved June 18, 2020
- ^ "Nevada State Bird". Nevada State Bird, mountain bluebird. Val-U-Corp Services, Inc. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "New Hampshire State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "New Jersey State Symbols". The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "New Mexico State Bird – Roadrunner". New Mexico State Bird – Roadrunner – Geococcyx californianus. 50states.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ "New York State Bird". New York State Bird Bluebird Sialia sialis. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
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- ^ "North Dakota State Bird". North Dakota State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Ohio State Bird". Ohio's State Bird- The Cardinal. Ohio History Central. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- ^ "Oklahoma State Bird". Birds of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008.
- ^ Oregon Legislature names osprey; keeps meadowlark
- ^ "Oregon State Bird". Oregon State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Senate Concurrent Resolution 18". Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Ruffed Grouse Adopted as State Bird". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "¿Tenemos o no un ave nacional?". La Perla del Sur. January 20, 2017. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Debate por el Ave Nacional (primera parte). Archived 2020-10-24 at the Wayback Machine CienciaPR. Accessed 19 October 2020.
- ^ "Rhode Island State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "SC Statehouse Student's web page, State Symbols and Emblems, State Bird". South Carolina General Assembly. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2007.
- ^ "South Dakota State Bird". South Dakota State Bird Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
- ^ "Tennessee State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on October 9, 2006. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
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- ^ "Vermont State Bird". Vermont State Bird- Hermit Thrush. About. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
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- ^ "Wyoming Facts and Symbols". State of Wyoming. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Official Alabama Game Bird". Alabama Emblems, Symb and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives and History. November 17, 2003. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
- ^ "Georgia Secretary of State – State Game Bird". Georgia Secretary of State. State of Georgia. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ "Idaho State Raptor". Idaho State Raptor Peregrine Falcon. Netstate. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "CIS: State Symbols". Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
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- ^ "HOUSE BILL NO. 576" (PDF). HOUSE BILL NO. 576 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY. State of Missouri. Archived from the original on June 2, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "State Raptor, New Hampshire Almanac". State of New Hampshire. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ "Oklahoma State Game Bird". Official State Game Birds. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ^ "Oregon Almanac: Abbreviation to Crustacean". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ "SC Statehouse Student's web page, State Symbols and Emblems, State Wild Game Bird". South Carolina General Assembly. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2007.
- ^ "South Carolina State Duck". Official State Ducks. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Tennessee State Symbols". Tennessee State General Assembly. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008.
- ^ "Wisconsin Historical Society". Wisconsin State Symbols. Wisconsin Historical Society. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2020.