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A map of the U.S. showing in red which states and territories have an official state bird.

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 officially adopt its bird was New York in 1970.

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		BirdScientific namePictureYear
Alabama Yellowhammer (northern flicker)Colaptes auratus1927[5]
Alaska Willow ptarmiganLagopus lagopus1955[6]
American Samoa None, although the bald eagle is displayed on the flag.N/aN/aN/a
Arizona Cactus wrenCampylorhynchus
brunneicapillus		1931[7]
Arkansas Northern mockingbirdMimus polyglottos1929[8]
California California quailCallipepla californica1931[9]
Colorado Lark buntingCalamospiza melanocorys1931[10]
Connecticut American robinTurdus migratorius1943[11]
Delaware Blue Hen ChickenGallus gallus domesticus1939[12]
District of Columbia Wood thrushHylocichla mustelina1938[4]
Florida Northern mockingbirdMimus polyglottos1927[13]
Georgia Brown thrasherToxostoma rufum1928[14]
Guam Guam rail (ko'ko')Gallirallus owstoni2000[15]
Hawaii Nene (Hawaiian goose)Branta sandvicensis1957[16]
Idaho Mountain bluebirdSialia currucoides1931[17]
Illinois Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1929[18]
Indiana Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1933[19]
Iowa Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch)Spinus tristis tristis1933[20]
Kansas Western meadowlarkSturnella neglecta1933[21]
Kentucky Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1926[22]
Louisiana Eastern brown pelicanPelecanus occidentalis1966[23]
Maine ChickadeePoecile, species not specified
(de facto Poecile atricapillus)[24]		1927[25]
Maryland Baltimore orioleIcterus galbula1947[26]
Massachusetts Black-capped chickadeePoecile atricapillus1941[27]
Michigan
Mississippi Northern mockingbirdMimus polyglottos1944[30]
Missouri Eastern bluebirdSialia sialis1927[31]
Montana Western meadowlarkSturnella neglecta1941[32]
Nebraska Western meadowlarkSturnella neglecta1929[33]
Nevada Mountain bluebirdSialia currucoides1967[34]
New Hampshire Purple finchHaemorhous purpureus1957[35]
New Jersey Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch) Spinus tristis tristis1935[36]
New Mexico Greater roadrunnerGeococcyx californianus1949[37]
New York Eastern bluebirdSialia sialis1970[38]
North Carolina Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1943[39]
North Dakota Western meadowlarkSturnella neglecta1947[40]
Northern Mariana Islands Mariana fruit-dovePtilinopus roseicapilla?
Ohio Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1933[41]
Oklahoma Scissor-tailed flycatcherTyrannus forficatus1951[42]
Oregon Western meadowlark (state songbird)[a]Sturnella neglecta1927[44]
2017[45]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse
(state game bird)[b]		Bonasa umbellus1931
Puerto Rico Puerto Rican spindalis (de facto)Spindalis portoricensis—[47][48]
Rhode Island Rhode Island RedGallus gallus domesticus1954[49]
South Carolina Carolina wrenThryothorus ludovicianus1948[50]
South Dakota Ring-necked pheasantPhasianus colchicus1943[51]
Tennessee Northern mockingbirdMimus polyglottos1933[52]
Texas Northern mockingbirdMimus polyglottos1927[53]
Utah California gullLarus californicus1955[54]
Vermont Hermit thrushCatharus guttatus1941[55]
Virgin Islands BananaquitCoereba flaveola1970
Virginia Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1950[56]
Washington Willow goldfinch (American goldfinch)Spinus tristis salicamans1951[57]
West Virginia Northern cardinalCardinalis cardinalis1949[58]
Wisconsin American robinTurdus migratorius1949[59]
Wyoming Western meadowlarkSturnella neglecta1927[60]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ 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]
  2. ↑ The ruffed grouse was named Pennsylvania's "state game bird" per 1931 Act 234.[46]

Other state birds

[edit]
Map showing in red which U.S. states and territories have designated a state bird in addition to their official state bird

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, a state migratory bird, or a bird as their state symbol of peace.

StateState birdScientific namePhotographyYear
Alabama Wild turkey
(state game bird)		Meleagris gallopavo1980[61]
Delaware Red knot
(state migratory bird)		Calidris canutus2025[62]
Georgia Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)		Colinus virginianus1970[63]
Idaho Peregrine falcon
(state raptor)		Falco peregrinus2004[64]
Massachusetts Wild turkey
(state game bird)		Meleagris gallopavo1991[65]
Michigan Wood duck
(state duck)		 Aix sponsa 2026[66]
Mississippi Wood duck
(state waterfowl)		Aix sponsa1974[67]
Missouri Bobwhite quail
(state game bird)		Colinus virginianus2007[68]
New Hampshire Red-tailed hawk
(state raptor)		Buteo jamaicensis2019[69]
Oklahoma Wild turkey
(state game bird)		Meleagris gallopavo1990[70]
Oregon Osprey
(state raptor)		Pandion haliaetus2017[71]
Pennsylvania Ruffed grouse
(state game bird)		Bonasa umbellus1931[3]
South Carolina Northern mockingbird
(former state bird)		Mimus polyglottos1939 –
1948[50]
Wild turkey
(state wild game bird)		Meleagris gallopavo1976[72]
Wood duck
(state duck)		Aix sponsa2009[73]
Prothonotary warbler
(state migratory bird)		Protonotaria citrea2026[74]
Tennessee Bobwhite quail
(state wild game bird)		Colinus virginianus1987[75]
Wisconsin Eastern mourning dove
(state symbol of peace)		Zenaida macroura carolinensis1971[76]

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 cardinal7
Western meadowlark6
Northern mockingbird5[a]
Wild turkey
(state game bird or wild game bird)		4
American robin3
Bobwhite quail
(state game bird or wild game bird)		3
American goldfinch3[b]
Wood duck
(state waterfowl or duck)		3
Chickadee2[c]
Chicken2[d]
Eastern bluebird2
Mountain bluebird2

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  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

[edit]
  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. 1 2 "1931 Act 234", Unconsolidated Statutes, Pennsylvania General Assembly, archived from the original on August 3, 2020, retrieved June 2, 2020
  4. 1 2 "District of Columbia State Bird". District of Columbia State Symbols. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "Alaska State Bird". Alaska History, Geography, Population and State Facts. Fact Monster. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Arizona State Bird". Arizona State Bird- Cactus Wren. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Arkansas State Bird". Arkansas State Bird- Mockingbird. About. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  9. ↑ "California State Bird". California State Bird- California Quail. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Colorado State Bird". Colorado State Bird- Lark Bunting. About. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Connecticut State Bird". The State Bird. State of Connecticut. Archived from the original on June 27, 2007. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  12. ↑ "Delaware State Bird". California State Bird- Blue Hen Chicken. 50 States. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Florida State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006.
  14. ↑ "Georgia State Bird". Georgia State Bird Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "Idaho State Bird". Idaho State Bird Mountain Bluebird. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  18. ↑ "State Symbols". State of Illinois. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Indiana State Bird". Indiana Historical Bureau. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Iowa State Bird". Iowa State Bird Eastern Goldfinch Carduelis tristis. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Kansas State Bird". Kansas State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  22. ↑ "Kentucky State Bird". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on March 18, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Louisiana State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on February 28, 2007.
  24. ↑ "Maine lawmakers end the flap over Maine's state bird". Press Herald. March 6, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ "Maryland State Bird". Louisiana State Bird Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  27. ↑ "Massachusetts State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Michigan State Bird". Michigan State Bird American Robin Turdus migratorius. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  29. ↑ "Minnesota State Bird". Minnesota State Bird Common Loon Gavia immer. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  30. ↑ "Mississippi State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "State Symbols of Missouri". Missouri's State Bird. Missouri Secretary of State. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Montana State Bird". Michigan State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  33. ↑ "Western Meadowlark", NebraskAccess, Nebraska State Symbols, Nebraska Library Commission, archived from the original on June 19, 2020, retrieved June 18, 2020
  34. ↑ "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.
  35. ↑ "New Hampshire State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  36. ↑ "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.
  37. ↑ "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.
  38. ↑ "New York State Bird". New York State Bird Bluebird Sialia sialis. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  39. ↑ "North Carolina State Bird". Cardinal- North Carolina State Bird. NC Department of State. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  40. ↑ "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.
  41. ↑ "Ohio State Bird". Ohio's State Bird- The Cardinal. Ohio History Central. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  42. ↑ "Oklahoma State Bird". Birds of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008.
  43. ↑ Oregon Legislature names osprey; keeps meadowlark
  44. ↑ "Oregon State Bird". Oregon State Bird Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  45. ↑ "Senate Concurrent Resolution 18". Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  46. ↑ "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.
  47. ↑ "¿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.
  48. ↑ Debate por el Ave Nacional (primera parte). Archived 2020-10-24 at the Wayback Machine CienciaPR. Accessed 19 October 2020.
  49. ↑ "Rhode Island State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  50. 1 2 "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.
  51. ↑ "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.
  52. ↑ "Tennessee State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on October 9, 2006. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Texas State Bird". The Texas State Bird: Mockingbird. Lone Star Junction. August 9, 2022. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  54. ↑ "Utah State Bird". Utah State Bird California Gull Larus californicus. Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  55. ↑ "Vermont State Bird". Vermont State Bird- Hermit Thrush. About. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
  56. ↑ "Virginia State Bird". Netstate. April 17, 2005. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
  57. ↑ "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  58. ↑ "West Virginia State Bird". Netstate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  59. ↑ "Wisconsin State Bird". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on January 12, 2006. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Wyoming Facts and Symbols". State of Wyoming. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  61. ↑ "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.
  62. ↑ Delaware Code Title 29 § 335
  63. ↑ "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.
  64. ↑ "Idaho State Raptor". Idaho State Raptor Peregrine Falcon. Netstate. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  65. ↑ "CIS: State Symbols". Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
  66. ↑ "House Bill 4044 of 2025 (Public Act 7 of 2026)". Michigan Legislature. January 30, 2025.
  67. ↑ "Mississippi State Symbols, Emblems, and Mascots". SHG Resources. Archived from the original on January 7, 2006. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  68. ↑ "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)
  69. ↑ "State Raptor, New Hampshire Almanac". State of New Hampshire. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  70. ↑ "Oklahoma State Game Bird". Official State Game Birds. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  71. ↑ "Oregon Almanac: Abbreviation to Crustacean". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  72. ↑ "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.
  73. ↑ "South Carolina State Duck". Official State Ducks. NSTATE, LLC. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  74. ↑ "2025-2026 Bill 383: Official state migratory bird". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  75. ↑ "Tennessee State Symbols". Tennessee State General Assembly. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008.
  76. ↑ "Wisconsin Historical Society". Wisconsin State Symbols. Wisconsin Historical Society. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
[edit]
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