Each of the fifty states has an official state bird. The cardinal seems to be the most popular pick, seeing that Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia have all chosen the red crested bird to represent their state. But the western meadowlark comes in at a close second with six different states choosing this bird. Some states have chosen endangered species for their state bird, for example Hawaii which calls the nene or Hawaiian goose its official state bird.
Here’s a list of each state’s official state bird
Alabama -Yellowhammer
Alaska - Willow Ptarmigan
Arizona - Cactus Wren
Arkansas - Mockingbird
California - California Valley Quail
Colorado - Lark Bunting
Connecticut - Robin
Delaware - Blue Hen Chicken
Florida - Mockingbird
Georgia - Brown Thrasher
Hawaii - Nene
Idaho - Mountain Bluebird
Illinois - Cardinal
Indiana - Cardinal
Iowa - Eastern Goldfinch
Kansas - Western Meadowlark
Kentucky - Cardinal
Louisiana - Eastern Brown Pelican
Maine - Chickadee
Maryland -Baltimore Oriole
Massachusetts - Chickadee
Michigan - Robin
Minnesota - Common Loon
Mississippi - Mockingbird
Missouri - Bluebird
Montana - Western Meadowlark
Nebraska - Western Meadowlark
Nevada - Mountain Bluebird
New Hampshire - Purple Finch
New Jersey - Eastern Goldfinch
New Mexico - Roadrunner
New York - Bluebird
North Carolina - Cardinal
North Dakota - Western Meadowlark
Ohio - Cardinal
Oklahoma - Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Oregon - Western Meadowlark
Pennsylvania - Ruffed Grouse
Rhode Island - Rhode Island Red
South Carolina - Great Carolina Wren
South Dakota - Ring-necked Pheasant
Tennessee - Mockingbird
Texas - Mockingbird
Utah - California Seagull
Vermont - Hermit Thrush
Virginia - Cardinal
Washington -Willow Goldfinch
West Virginia - Cardinal
Wisconsin - Robin
Wyoming - Western Meadowlark
Some intersting state bird facts ...
There are lots of things that make your state unique, one often times being its official state bird. By doing just a little research on your state’s bird, you may come across some really interesting facts. For example, New Mexico’s official state bird is the roadrunner. While we’re all familiar with the cartoon version, did you know the real life roadrunner prefers running to flying and can run up to fifteen miles per hour?
You can learn more about your state’s official state bird by doing a little research. Your local library and pet store probably have books that can give you tips on how to both identify and where to spot your state bird.
