Introduction
In the 1920s, the General Federation of Women's Clubs began a movement to officially assign state birds. What started as a campaign for nature appreciation soon grew into a national craze. Today, nearly every U.S. state (and a handful of territories) has a bird of its own. Here's the most interesting part: these aren't just decent mascots; they're living embodiments of regional identity, ecosystems, and state pride.
Buckle up with us on our feathered flyover tour of the 50 states. No passport is needed, just a passion for birds and an inquiring heart. Side effects may include spontaneous bird trivia enthusiasm.
Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic horizon
1. Connecticut: American Robin
Scientific name: Turdus migratorius
Year designated: 1943
Robins are often nicknamed "Robin Redbreast" due to their distinctive orange chests. They’re well known for their sweet morning song and role as a harbinger of spring. Robins successfully breed in lawns, parks, and woods, living on worms and insects. Their friendly nature and willingness to work in groups made them the darlings of school kids and bird clubs. They have multiple broods per year, helping to keep insect populations in check. Robins are also the official state birds of Michigan and Wisconsin.
2. Maine: Chickadee
Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus (default)
Year designated: 1927
The Chickadee is a sturdy, cheerful bird famous for surviving year-round in woods and backyards. Known for curiosity, it regularly lands on its hands for seeds and caches food with remarkable memory. Chickadees acclimate to the cold by growing new brain cells and slipping into a nighttime short-term hibernation state. They signal danger in their "Chickadee" call; more "dees" indicate more dangers. Their friendly and domesticated life has made them a favorite for being a resilient and charming Maine symbol.
3. Massachusetts: Black-Capped Chickadee
Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus
Year designated: 1941
The Chickadee is known for its friendliness, toughness, and song. It is found around the state in forests and backyards, nesting in birdhouses and joining mixed winter flocks. School kids and Audubon members lobbied for its selection. Shared with Maine, the chickadee's charm and inquisitiveness make it a prized New England symbol all year round.
4. New Hampshire: Purple Finch
Scientific name: Haemorhous purpureus
Year designated: 1957
Don't let the name fool you; the purple finch is raspberry red, not purple. They became New Hampshire's state bird after a lively debate rejected the "New Hampshire Red" hen for a wild songbird. While timid and irregular in appearance, it visits winter feeders and breeds in northern forests. Its selection embodied the state's strong love of nature and appreciation of wild, free birds over domestic farm birds.
5. Rhode Island: Rhode Island Red
Scientific name: Gallus gallus domesticus
Year designated: 1954
You would not expect a chicken to be a state bird, would you? But Rhode Island picked the Rhode Island Red, a bold, beautiful, and egg-laying legend. It is not wild, but it is homegrown. Tough, friendly, and valuable, this reddish-brown hen became a local hero. There is even a monument in its honor. Small state, big pride, and clearly, they know a great bird when they see one.
6. Vermont: Hermit Thrush
Scientific name: Catharus guttatus
Year designated: 1941
Vermont did not choose the flashiest bird, but its song? Otherworldly, flute-like, and completely unforgettable. Chosen after a passionate debate with Blue Jay fans, this tiny bird represents Vermont's peaceful character. You might not see it often, but when you do, count yourself lucky.
7. New York: Eastern Bluebird
Scientific name: Sialia sialis
Year designated: 1970
New York was the last state to pick a name. Having nearly been pushed out by habitat loss, they recovered, thanks to nest boxes and determined conservation work. With blue sky-colored feathers and gentle nature, it earned the nickname Bluebird of Happiness. No wonder the Empire State borrowed it.
8. New Jersey: Eastern Goldfinch
Scientific name: Spinus tristis
Year designated: 1935
Locals call it the “Wild Canary,” thanks to its sunny feathers and bouncy flight. You’ll spot them in flocks, munching on seeds, or showing off in spring. Loved by farmers and birdwatchers alike, the goldfinch fits perfectly with New Jersey’s Garden State vibe, colorful, spirited, and right at home among wildflowers and feeders.
9. Pennsylvania: Ruffed Grouse
Scientific name: Bonasa umbellus
Year designated: 1931
Pennsylvania never chose an official state bird, but the Ruffed Grouse is a consensus favorite. Its wild drumming echoes through the woods in springtime, sounding like a small motor revving up. Hard to catch, shy, and tied to the woods' existence, it seems an apt fit for "Penn's Woods." Hikers hear it before they see it.
10. Delaware: Blue Hen Chicken
Scientific name: Gallus gallus
Year designated: 1939
Another chicken! But with an attitude to match. The Blue Hen has roots in the Revolutionary War. The Delaware troops, called the "The Blue Hens' Chickens," were renowned for their fighting spirit. Today, the "Fightin' Blue Hen" still marches in Delaware pride, from backyard chicken coops to college mascots.
11. District of Columbia: Wood Thrush
Scientific name: Hylocichla mustelina
Year designated: 1938
D.C. may be small, but its bird has a large mouth. If any bird could write a symphony, it’d be the Wood Thrush. The wood thrush's ringing call cuts through the city noise of the city like a dream. Even in a city as fast-paced as D.C., nature finds a way to be heard.
The Southeast State Birds
12. Alabama: Yellowhammer (Northern Flicker)
Scientific name: Colaptes auratus
Year designated: 1927
This woodpecker’s radiant yellow underwing flashes like sunbeams in pine woods, hence its nickname, "Yellowhammer." Alabama soldiers wore yellow on their uniforms during the Civil War, which earned them the nickname. The bird became a living embodiment of Southern grit and pride. It's rugged, fierce, and battle-tested, exactly like Alabama.
13. Florida: Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Year designated: 1927
If birds had playlists, the mockingbird would play on repeat for 12 hours. It’s a great mimic. Local Floridians call it the “Florida nightingale” because it sings under moonlight. They are fierce defenders of their home, which fits the image of a state full of larger-than-life personalities.
14. Georgia: Brown Thrasher
Scientific name: Toxostoma rufum
Year designated: 1928
Georgia did not join the mockingbird train. They opted instead for the brown thrasher, a bird that can mimic more than 1,000 distinct sounds. Basically, a talkative overachiever, but what seals the deal is its Southern disposition. Thrashers are aggressive, shy, and willing to fight when protecting their nests. It's the kind of bird that minds its own business until you get up in its face.
15. Kentucky: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1926
Kentucky was the first state to select the Northern Cardinal, and understandably so. Cheerful, assertive, and omnipresent, this red treasure adds color to winter. Kentuckians call it “Kentucky Cardinal,” and it's tied to state pride, sports teams, and folklore.
16. Louisiana: Brown Pelican
Scientific name: Pelecanus occidentalis
Year designated: 1966
Louisiana’s cherished Brown Pelican isn’t just the state; it’s on the flag, seal, and nickname: the Pelican state. The coastal diver almost became extinct due to pesticide assaults but experienced a dramatic comeback. With a 7-foot wingspan and signature plunge dives, it’s impossible to ignore.
17. Mississippi: Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Year designated: 1944
Another mockingbird state? Found everywhere in the state, this tiny bird sings day and night, sometimes of a magnolia or telephone line. It’s loud, intelligent, and protective. In a state known for music, the “mocker” is a fitting songbird and emblem of Southern toughness.
18. North Carolina: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1943
Here's the second mention of the fiery redbird. Its bright feathers light up backyards all year round, especially during winter. Rooted in the South, this bird adds a sense of pride to the Tar Heel state.
19. South Carolina: Carolina Wren
Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Year designated: 1948
South Carolina went local, giving a name to a bird that literally has the state's name in it. Carolina wrens are tiny but loud, and they punch well above their weight. With that cheerful "teakettle-teakettle" call, they fill backyards with noise and charm. Their nests show up in flowerpots and mailboxes, making them the ultimate Southern squatters.
20. Tennessee: Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Year designated: 1933
The third time’s the charm for the mockingbird. In Tennessee, it makes perfect sense; this is the home of country music, rock 'n' roll, and bluegrass. If you’re going to pick a bird that thrives on song, the mockingbird is it. It’s got the vocals, the volume, and the verve to match Music City’s legacy.
21. West Virginia: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1949
Deep in the hills of Appalachia, the cardinal's whistle cuts through the stillness like a survival anthem. The bird endures every season all year round. With its friendly attitude and flashes of red among rhododendrons and maples, the cardinal is at home in West Virginia.
22. Virginia: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1950
Finishing up our Southern cardinal trio, Virginia's selection does seem fitting for a state so connected to American heritage. The cardinal's deep red brings back colonial attire, and its regal demeanor fits Virginia's rural landscapes. It's elegant, understated, and quietly commanding.
The Midwest State Birds
23. Illinois: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1929
Illinois was one of the first states to say, “Yep, we’re going cardinal,” and honestly, who could blame them? With snow on the ground and this brilliant red bird perched on a branch, the visual contrast is stunning. Both males and females sing, and they're regular visitors to backyard smart feeders. No wonder this bold, beautiful bird became the Illinois favorite and six other states, too!
24. Indiana: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1933
Indiana also took on the Northern Cardinal, and for a good reason. Like Illinois, this showy red bird brings color to winter landscapes. Cardinals are year-round residents, holding fast during those cold Hoosier winters. They're intensely territorial, loudly so, and their nest pride is very Midwestern.
25. Iowa: Eastern Goldfinch (American Goldfinch)
Scientific name: Spinus tristis
Year designated: 1933
Iowa selected a shaft of sunlight. During summer, the American goldfinch flashes bright yellow and embellishes wildflower fields and prairie grasslands. Winter sees them molt into dull olive colors, a visual reminder that life here slows when the snow comes. But when the sun comes back, so does its yellow color. Breathtakingly, Iowa.
26. Kansas: Western Meadowlark
Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
Year designated: 1937
Kansas chose the Meadowlark, thanks to its happy song echoing across the prairie. Its yellow chest and black "V" make it a common sight on fence posts and open fields. Schoolchildren helped make it official, and it's easy to see why; it's a voice of the plains. This bird truly captured the wide-open heart of Kansas and its grassland heritage.
27. Michigan: American Robin
Scientific name: Turdus migratorius
Year designated: 1931
There's just something so comforting about robins, especially if you live in Michigan, where the winters are bleak. Their sweet songs and red bellies are the unofficial start of spring. And Michigan, with its fresh lakes and wood edge, offers them plenty of room to hunt and nest.
28. Minnesota: Common Loon
Scientific name: Gavia immer
Year designated: 1961
Minnesota chose the hauntingly beautiful common loon. Renowned for its ghostly, resonating cry, the loon is almost as prevalent as the state's thousands of lakes. In 2025, the American Birding Association named the loon "Bird of the Year." This award extends its iconic status far beyond Minnesota’s borders.
29. Missouri: Eastern Bluebird
Scientific name: Sialia sialis
Year designated: 1927
The bluebird is optimism incarnate, a round, cheerful little ball of sky-colored feathers. Missouri picked it for its warmth and song, both of which are like spring. Bluebirds occupy nest boxes and old tree cavities, and Missourians still build trails of nest boxes to help them survive. It's an optimistic bird in a state that knows how to bounce back.
30. Nebraska: Western Meadowlark
Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
Year designated: 1929
Nebraska came after Kansas and a handful of other neighbors to take on the western meadowlark. And it is fitting; this bird does well in tall grasses, just like the open prairies of the Cornhusker State. Its song echoes through cornfields and backroads, and its temperament boldness reflects Nebraska.
31. North Dakota: Western Meadowlark
Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
Year designated: 1970
Yes, another meadowlark state. But in North Dakota, it is almost sacred. These birds arrive early in spring as if they know precisely how long the winter has lasted. Their song carries over ranch land and open country like a promise. For people living with such extreme seasonal variation, this little bird is a lifeline.
32. Ohio: Northern Cardinal
Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Year designated: 1933
Ohio went the classic route with the cardinal, and it's perfect for the Buckeye State's lush woodlands and suburbs. Cardinals bring splashes of color and constant conversation to yards and parks. They are extremely loyal to their partners and keep singing long after other birds quiet down. In a way, they're the Ohio spirit: unwavering, proud, and a little noisy when they have to be.
33. South Dakota: Ring-Necked Pheasant
Scientific name: Phasianus colchicus
Year designated: 1943
South Dakota took a risk by selecting the ring-necked pheasant, a non-native bird imported from Asia. They thrive so well on the state's grasslands and fields and are a staple of local hunting tradition. This showy bird has become a South Dakota icon with its rainbow feathers and speedy getaways.
34. Wisconsin: American Robin
Scientific name: Turdus migratorius
Year designated: 1949
Another robin state! In Wisconsin, the robin's springtime role is played very seriously. These birds make their way into backyards and woodlands, warbling from fence posts as the snow melts. For Wisconsinites emerging from cold weather, that chirp is music to their ears and the start of grill season.
The State Birds of the West
35. Arizona: Cactus Wren
Scientific name: Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Year designated: 1931
Meet the cactus wren: desert-hardened and loud. Arizona's pick nests in thorny cacti and perch in the 110° heat as if it's nothing. It has a harsh, chattering song, kind of like a squeaky hinge. It doesn't back down, not even from snakes. Arizona didn't pick beauty here. It picked toughness. Respect.
36. Colorado: Lark Bunting
Scientific name: Calamospiza melanocorys
Year designated: 1931
Colorado's lark bunting is one of the prairie's great crooners. The males are sleek and black with prominent white wing patches. During mating season, they take to aerial song displays, sweeping through the air like feathered acrobats. It's an open-country bird, like the state's enormous grasslands.
37. Idaho: Mountain Bluebird
Scientific name: Sialia currucoides
Year designated: 1931
Idaho went for poetry in bird form. The mountain bluebird looks like it flew out of a watercolor painting: sky blue, soft-edged, and glowing in sunlight. You’ll spot them hovering like hummingbirds over sagebrush or perched in open meadows. Idaho’s wide-open spaces are the perfect backdrop for this elegant little sprite.
38. Montana: Western Meadowlark
Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
Year designated: 1931
Another meadowlark fan here. But in Montana? The bird's lovely song cuts through mountain valleys and wheat fields with ease. Since Montana is less urban, you can almost always hear their tune uninterrupted by human noise.
39. Nevada: Mountain Bluebird
Scientific name: Sialia currucoides
Year designated: 1967
Nevada substituted the California Quail with this cobalt-blue symbol of wide-open country. Against the sagebrush and desert slopes of the state, these birds really shine. They hover to catch insects and nest in hollowed-out old trees or birdhouses. Delicate, cheerful, and often seen on spring mornings. The bluebird reminds Nevadans that there is beauty beyond the casino’s neon light.
40. New Mexico: Greater Roadrunner
Scientific name: Geococcyx californianus
Year designated: 1949
No joke, New Mexico’s state bird is a cartoon that comes to life. The greater roadrunner is fast, eats snakes (yep), and looks like a prehistoric speedster with an attitude. You’ll often see them darting across desert roads, tail upright, looking like they’re late for a meeting. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s pure New Mexico.
41. Utah: California Gull
Scientific name: Larus californicus
Year designated: 1955
In Utah, the California Gull was chosen to honor the legendary "Miracle of the Gulls." Here’s the backstory: in 1848, Mormon settlers were facing a cricket infestation that threatened their crops. Gulls swept in, devoured the bugs, and saved the harvest. There’s even a monument in Salt Lake City to honor them. Sometimes, heroism comes with feathers and a loud squawk.
42. Wyoming: Western Meadowlark
Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
Year designated: 1927
Wyoming was an early meadowlark adopter, and for good reason. The bird defines the Great Plains, and in Wyoming, its song echoes across buttes and badlands. It's upbeat, persistent, and unpretentious. You know, a lot like Wyomingites themselves.
43. California: California Quail
Scientific name: Callipepla californica
Year designated: 1931
Let's talk about flair. California's state bird looks like it's always late to a party but still plans on making an entrance. The California quail has that silly bobbing head plume and the elegant scale design on its breast. But don't let that fool you; these birds are survivors. They flock in coveys, calling to each other, and can vanish into scrub in a flash. A weird, social, fashionable choice. Very California.
44. Oregon: Western Meadowlark & Osprey
Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta & Pandion haliaetus
Year designated: Meadowlark in 1927, Osprey in 2017
Oregon couldn't decide. They started with the Meadowlark and, nearly a century later, added the osprey as the state raptor. One sings from fence posts. The other dives like a missile into rivers to snare fish. Together, they speak to an Oregon double identity, farmland and wilderness, voice and action.
45. Washington: Willow Goldfinch (American Goldfinch)
Scientific name: Spinus tristis
Year designated: 1951
Washington finally selected the Willow Goldfinch after 23 years of debate! People loved its bright yellow color and the manner in which it flits through fields and streamside willows. A late nester, the goldfinch now adds a brilliant splash of color to Washington's natural scene.
Final Feathers: From Bayous to the Bering Sea
46. Texas: Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Year designated: 1927
Texas was one of the first to pin down the mockingbird, and honestly, it's hard to beat this selection. The mockingbird is in-your-face, bold, creative, and loud. Sound familiar to anyone you know from Texas? It mimics anything it hears and defends its territory. Texans love its grit and charm. Enough so, it's even a law-protected species. In Texas, the mockingbird isn't just admired; it's pretty much family.
47. Oklahoma: Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Scientific name: Tyrannus forficatus
Year designated: 1951
Now, this is a show bird. With its long, forked tail and flashy flight, it turns highways into air shows. It's a summer resident on fence posts and phone lines, catching insects with poise. This bird features on the Oklahoma license plates. It is daring, beautiful, and unmistakable, just like the big skies it calls home.
48. Arkansas: Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Year designated: 1929
Arkansas joined the mockingbird list immediately. While the state is teeming with bright birdlife, the mockingbird itself earns a trophy for plain grit. It’s a perfect mimic, never loses its nerve, and adapts easily to thriving woodlands and city green spaces. Immortalized in "To Kill a Mockingbird,” this backyard bird couples beauty with cleverness.
49. Louisiana: Eastern Brown Pelican
Scientific name: Pelecanus occidentalis
Year designated: 1966
Here’s a bird that became a comeback icon. The brown pelican was nearly wiped out by pollution and pesticides in the mid-20th century. Louisiana rallied to protect it, and now, you’ll see these giant, awkwardly graceful birds soaring low over the Gulf. They're clumsy on land, elegant in air, and deeply woven into the state’s coastal identity. Their recovery mirrors Louisiana's resilience after storms and setbacks.
50. Alaska: Willow Ptarmigan
Scientific name: Lagopus lagopus
Year designated: 1955
This bird won't be a contender in any beauty contests, but when it comes to adaptation, it is unmatched. The willow ptarmigan adjusts its hue according to the seasons. In summer, they are brown and white in winter. This feature is a perfect camouflage in an area that's more wilderness than suburbia. Rugged, silent, low-key, so Alaska.
51. Hawaii: Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)
Scientific name: Branta sandvicensis
Year designated: 1957
Hawaii’s nēnē is more than a bird; it’s an ancient soul. This goose is a descendant of the Canada goose that somehow adapted to lava fields and tropical scrubland. Once critically endangered, the nēnē is now a powerful conservation success story. It's calm, noble, and deeply tied to Hawaiian identity, both ecological and cultural.
52. Puerto Rico: Puerto Rican Spindalis (De Facto)
Scientific name: Spindalis portoricensis
Year designated: Unofficial
Puerto Rico hasn't officially declared a state bird yet, but the Puerto Rican spindalis is widely recognized. It's a beautiful bird with a mix of green, black, and white coats. Locals call it “reina mora”. It is a symbol of tropical diversity and island pride, darting between mango trees and coffee plantations with the energy of a salsa beat.
53. Guam: Guam Rail (Ko'ko')
Scientific name: Gallirallus owstoni
Year designated: 2000
After being nearly exterminated, the ko'ko' was brought back by a breeding program and is now being reintroduced to the wild. It is flightless but can run through bush with determination. Guam selected the ko'ko' not only because it is so rare but also because it represents tenacity.
54. Northern Mariana Islands: Mariana Fruit-Dove
Scientific name: Ptilinopus roseicapilla
Year designated: Unofficial
The description colorful does not do the bird justice. It looks more like a tropical flower come to life than a flying bird. With a crown of rose-pink and a lime-green body, it is an eyeful. It is not officially consecrated as a territorial bird, but it is still well-loved throughout the Northern Mariana Islands.
55. Virgin Islands: Bananaquit
Scientific name: Coereba flaveola
Year designated: 1970
Small, energetic, and fearless, the bananaquit is a tiny, nectar-starved ball of energy. It's not a member of any big bird family. More of an oddball, but its independence and industriousness make it a perfect fit for the islands.
Final Thought on The Feathered Tour of America
We've flown into every corner of America with feathers instead of GPS as our guides. As our bird tour ends, we're reminded that every state has a voice. The journey was national, but the feeling was deeply personal. These birds aren't symbols. They're storytellers. And their next story starts when you look up.
FAQs
1. Why did U.S. states choose official birds?
To represent each state's natural heritage, culture, or values. Most of them were chosen in public opinion polls in the early 1900s. Now, they promote conservation education and connect people with nature.
2. Why do so many states share the same bird?
Some birds, such as the Northern Cardinal, are widespread and popular, so they appear on multiple states' lists. As circular as it sounds, popular birds typically indicate geographic overlap and overall appreciation for that bird species.
3. Are these birds protected?
Yes, most state birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Threatened ones like Hawaii's nēnē get additional protections.
4. Can I keep my state bird in my backyard?
Not as a pet—but you can absolutely attract your state bird by creating a bird-friendly backyard. Install smart bird feeders that track species and dispense food safely. Add native plants, fresh water, and shelter, and you’ll turn your yard into a welcoming habitat for wild birds—legally and ethically.
5. What are some great resources to learn more about birds?
Try the Cornell Lab's All About Birds, the Audubon Society, and BirdLife International. They all have apps, databases, ID guides, and conservation status of various bird species.
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