List of U.S. State Birds

Origins and selection

State birds began to be adopted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Selections often resulted from schoolchild campaigns, legislative resolutions, or efforts by naturalist societies. Criteria typically include the bird's presence in the state and its recognizability; in a few cases domestic breeds or region-specific subspecies were named instead of wild species.

Patterns, symbolism, and notable facts

Certain species recur across multiple states: the Northern cardinal is the most commonly chosen, and several states share the Western Meadowlark or the Northern Mockingbird. Some states picked unusual or locally distinctive birds — for example, the roadrunner in the Southwest, the nene (Hawaiian goose) in Hawaii, and the Rhode Island Red (a domestic chicken) in Rhode Island. These choices can reflect regional identity as much as natural history.

Complete list (alphabetical by state)

1. Alabama — Yellowhammer (Northern Flicker)
2. Alaska — Willow Ptarmigan
3. Arizona — Cactus Wren
4. Arkansas — Northern Mockingbird
5. California — California Quail
6. Colorado — Lark Bunting
7. Connecticut — American Robin
8. Delaware — Delaware Blue Hen
9. Florida — Northern Mockingbird
10. Georgia — Brown Thrasher
11. Hawaii — Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
12. Idaho — Mountain Bluebird
13. Illinois — Northern Cardinal
14. Indiana — Northern Cardinal
15. Iowa — American (Eastern) Goldfinch
16. Kansas — Western Meadowlark
17. Kentucky — Northern Cardinal
18. Louisiana — Brown Pelican
19. Maine — Black-capped Chickadee
20. Maryland — Baltimore Oriole
21. Massachusetts — Black-capped Chickadee
22. Michigan — American Robin
23. Minnesota — Common Loon
24. Mississippi — Northern Mockingbird
25. Missouri — Eastern Bluebird
26. Montana — Western Meadowlark
27. Nebraska — Western Meadowlark
28. Nevada — Mountain Bluebird
29. New Hampshire — Purple Finch
30. New Jersey — American Goldfinch
31. New Mexico — Greater Roadrunner
32. New York — Eastern Bluebird
33. North Carolina — Northern Cardinal
34. North Dakota — Western Meadowlark
35. Ohio — Northern Cardinal
36. Oklahoma — Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
37. Oregon — Western Meadowlark
38. Pennsylvania — Ruffed Grouse
39. Rhode Island — Rhode Island Red (chicken)
40. South Carolina — Carolina Wren
41. South Dakota — Ring-necked Pheasant
42. Tennessee — Northern Mockingbird
43. Texas — Northern Mockingbird
44. Utah — California Gull
45. Vermont — Hermit Thrush
46. Virginia — Northern Cardinal
47. Washington — American Goldfinch (Willow Goldfinch)
48. West Virginia — Northern Cardinal
49. Wisconsin — American Robin
50. Wyoming — Western Meadowlark

These official birds offer an accessible way for residents and visitors to connect with local wildlife. Beyond symbolism, state birds can be focal points for conservation education and community pride, and they reflect the ecological diversity found across the United States.