State birds across America: See every state bird across the United States

Olivia Munson, USA TODAY
Updated ·4 min read
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From state nicknames and state songs to state flowers and mammals, the United States is full of symbols for its 50 states. Each is representative of the state's heritage and natural treasures.

Starting in 1927, state birds began to be selected by states. The first states to adopt a state bird were Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming. The last state to pick its bird was Arizona in 1973.

So, grab your bird-watching binoculars and get to know the 50 official state birds in the U.S., from Alabama to Wyoming (and Washington, D.C., too)

Here is the name and a picture of every state's official bird:

Alabama: Northern flicker

The northern flicker is Alabama's state bird.

The northern flicker is Alabama's state bird.
The northern flicker is Alabama's state bird.

Alaska: Willow ptarmigan

The willow ptarmigan is Alaska's state bird.

The willow ptarmigan is Alaska's state bird.
The willow ptarmigan is Alaska's state bird.

Arizona: Cactus wren

The cactus wren is Arizona's state bird.

The cactus wren is Arizona's state bird.
The cactus wren is Arizona's state bird.

Arkansas: Northern mockingbird

The northern mockingbird is Arkansas' state bird.

The northern mockingbird is the state bird for Arkansas.
The northern mockingbird is the state bird for Arkansas.

California: California quail

The California quail is California's state bird.

Colorado: Lark bunting

The lark bunting is Colorado's state bird.

The lark bunting is a common grasslands bird species.
The lark bunting is a common grasslands bird species.

Connecticut: American robin

The American robin is Connecticut's state bird.

The American robin is the state bird of Connecticut.
The American robin is the state bird of Connecticut.

Delaware: Delaware blue hen

The Delaware blue hen is Delaware's state bird.

The blue hens chosen at Delaware's state birds descended from fighting chickens, one story says.
The blue hens chosen at Delaware's state birds descended from fighting chickens, one story says.

District of Columbia: Wood thrush

The wood thrush is Washington D.C.'s bird.

The wood thrush is Washington D.C.'s bird.
The wood thrush is Washington D.C.'s bird.

Florida: Northern mockingbird

The northern mockingbird is Florida's state bird.

Georgia: Brown thrasher

The brown thrasher is Georgia's state bird.

Hawaii: Hawaiian goose

The Hawaiian goose, or nēnē, is Hawaii's state bird.

Idaho: Mountain bluebird

The mountain bluebird is Idaho's state bird.

Illinois: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is Illinois' state bird.

The northern cardinal is the state bird of Illinois.
The northern cardinal is the state bird of Illinois.

Indiana: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is Indiana's state bird.

Iowa: Eastern goldfinch

The eastern goldfinch is Iowa's state bird.

The eastern goldfinch is Iowa's state bird.
The eastern goldfinch is Iowa's state bird.

Kansas: Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark is Kansas' state bird.

Kentucky: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is Kentucky's state bird.

Louisiana: Brown pelican

The brown pelican is Louisiana's state bird.

Maine: Chickadee

The chickadee is Maine's state bird.

The chickadee is Maine's state bird.
The chickadee is Maine's state bird.

Maryland: Baltimore oriole

The Baltimore Oriole is Maryland's state bird.

The Baltimore oriole is Maryland's state bird.
The Baltimore oriole is Maryland's state bird.

Massachusetts: Black-capped chickadee

The black-capped chickadee is Massachusetts' state bird.

Michigan: American robin

The American robin is Michigan's state bird.

Minnesota: Common loon

The common loon is Minnesota's state bird.

Mississippi: Northern mockingbird

The northern mockingbird is Mississippi's state bird.

The northern mockingbird is Mississippi's state bird.
The northern mockingbird is Mississippi's state bird.

Missouri: Eastern bluebird

The eastern bluebird is Missouri's state bird.

The eastern bluebird is Missouri's state bird.
The eastern bluebird is Missouri's state bird.

Montana: Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark is Montana's state bird.

Nebraska: Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark is Nebraska's state bird.

Nevada: Mountain bluebird

The mountain bluebird is Nevada's state bird.

The mountain bluebird is Nevada's state bird.
The mountain bluebird is Nevada's state bird.

New Hampshire: Purple finch

The purple finch is New Hampshire's state bird.

New Jersey: Eastern goldfinch

The eastern goldfinch is New Jersey's state bird.

New Mexico: Greater roadrunner

The greater roadrunner is New Mexico's state bird.

New York: Eastern bluebird

The eastern bluebird is New York's state bird.

The eastern bluebird is New York's state bird.
The eastern bluebird is New York's state bird.

North Carolina: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is North Carolina's state bird.

North Dakota: Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark is North Dakota's state bird.

Ohio: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is Ohio's state bird.

Oregon: Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark is Oregon's state bird.

Pennsylvania: Ruffed grouse

The ruffed grouse is Pennsylvania's state bird.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island red

The Rhode Island red is the Rhode Island's state bird.

The Rhode Island red is Rhode Island's state bird.
The Rhode Island red is Rhode Island's state bird.

South Carolina: Carolina wren

The Carolina wren is South Carolina's state bird.

South Dakota: Ring-necked pheasant

The ring-necked pheasant is South Dakota's state bird.

Tennessee: Northern mockingbird

The northern mockingbird is Tennessee's state bird.

The northern mockingbird is Tennessee's state bird.
The northern mockingbird is Tennessee's state bird.

Texas: Northern mockingbird

The northern mockingbird is Texas' state bird.

Utah: California gull

The California gull is Utah's state bird.

The California gull is Utah's state bird.
The California gull is Utah's state bird.

Vermont: Hermit thrush

The hermit thrush is Vermont's state bird.

Virginia: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is Virginia's state bird.

Washington: Willow goldfinch

The willow goldfinch is Washington's state bird.

West Virginia: Northern cardinal

The northern cardinal is West Virginia's state bird.

Wisconsin: American robin

The American robin is Wisconsin's state bird.

The American robin is Wisconsin's state bird.
The American robin is Wisconsin's state bird.

Wyoming: Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark is Wyoming's state bird.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: State birds across America: See the state bird for all 50 states

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