Reference

State birds of all 50 states, with their classic paintings

The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of 7 states, more than any other bird. The Western Meadowlark is next with 6 states, then the Northern Mockingbird with 5. In all, the 49 state birds we checked are 28 different birds, 2 of them chicken breeds. Below is each state's bird, most with a classic painting.

Updated

The most common state birds

Many states chose the same bird. These three are the state birds of 18 states between them:

  1. A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering tree
    John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)

    7 states Northern Cardinal

    State bird of Illinois (1929), Indiana (1933), Kentucky (1926), North Carolina (1943), Ohio (1933), Virginia and West Virginia (1949).

    Audubon painted it too: plate 159 of The Birds of America.

  2. A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowers
    John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)

    6 states Western Meadowlark

    State bird of Kansas (1937), Montana (1931), Nebraska (1929), North Dakota (1947), Oregon and Wyoming (1927).

  3. A gray Northern Mockingbird with dark wings and a long tail, perched on an oak branch
    John Gerrard Keulemans, Onze Vogels in Huis en Tuin (1869–76)

    5 states Northern Mockingbird

    State bird of Arkansas, Florida (1927), Mississippi, Tennessee (1933) and Texas (1927).

    Audubon painted it too: plate 21 of The Birds of America.

5 more birds are shared: the American Goldfinch (Iowa, New Jersey and Washington), the American Robin (Connecticut and Wisconsin), the Black-capped Chickadee (Maine and Massachusetts), the Eastern Bluebird (Missouri and New York) and the Mountain Bluebird (Idaho and Nevada). Every other state chose a bird of its own.

State birds by state

The 50 states and the District of Columbia, A to Z. Each row gives the bird as the state’s law or government names it, today’s species name, the year it became the state bird where the source states it, and the source we read.

Official state birds, each read on its state’s own source on October 3, 2026.
PictureStateState birdSinceSource
Audubon’s painting of five Northern Flickers around a dead tree stump, showing their spotted breasts and yellow wing feathersAlabama How many bird species are in Alabama?Northern FlickerAlabama calls it the yellowhammer; birders call it the Northern Flicker.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since Not statedDesignated by the Alabama Legislature. Source: Northern Flicker (Outdoor Alabama, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), read October 3, 2026.
A Willow Ptarmigan with a chestnut-brown head and back, white wings and feathered white feet, standing on open groundAlaska How many bird species are in Alaska?Willow PtarmiganPainting: Artist unrecorded, A History of the Birds of Europe, Not Observed in the British Isles (1862)Since 1955Chosen by Alaska schoolchildren in 1955, while Alaska was still a territory; the state bird since statehood. Source: Alaska's Iconic Birds: Willow Ptarmigan (Alaska Department of Fish and Game), read October 3, 2026.
A Cactus Wren with a spotted breast and a white eyebrow, perched on a bare branchArizona How many bird species are in Arizona?Cactus WrenThe law adds “otherwise known as Coues’ cactus wren,” one of the Cactus Wren’s subspecies.Photo: CK2AZ, CC BY 4.0Since Not statedArizona Revised Statutes § 41-854. Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-854, State bird (Arizona Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
A gray Northern Mockingbird with dark wings and a long tail, perched on an oak branchArkansas How many bird species are in Arkansas?Northern MockingbirdOfficially: “mockingbird”Painting: John Gerrard Keulemans, Onze Vogels in Huis en Tuin (1869–76)Since Not statedSource: Arkansas State Capitol Activity Book (Arkansas Secretary of State, 2025), read October 3, 2026.
A California Quail with its curved black head plume and scaled belly, in tall golden grassCalifornia How many bird species are in California?California QuailPainting: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Birds of California in Relation to the Fruit Industry (1910)Since 1931Also known as the valley quail. Source: State of California Symbols & Emblems (California Roster 2025, California Secretary of State), read October 3, 2026.
A black male Lark Bunting with white wing patches, standing on a roofColorado How many bird species are in Colorado?Lark BuntingPhoto: an iNaturalist contributor, CC0Since 1931Adopted April 29, 1931. Source: State Bird (Colorado State Archives), archived copy (the copy saved on October 16, 2020), read October 3, 2026.
An American Robin, slate gray above with an orange-red breast, perched on a branchConnecticut How many bird species are in Connecticut?American RobinPainting: John and Elizabeth Gould, The Birds of Europe (1832–37)Since 1943Adopted by the General Assembly. Source: The State Bird (CT.gov, State of Connecticut), read October 3, 2026.
Delaware How many bird species are in Delaware?Blue hen chickenA breed of farm chicken, not a wild species, so there is no wild-bird painting of it.Since Not statedDelaware Code, Title 29, § 304. Source: Delaware Code, Title 29, Chapter 3: State Emblems (Delaware General Assembly), read October 3, 2026.
A Wood Thrush with a cinnamon-brown back and a boldly spotted white breast, on a branch among green leavesDistrict of Columbia How many bird species are in the District of Columbia?Wood ThrushPainting: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Annual Reports of the New York Forest, Fish and Game Commission (1901–12)Since 1967Approved January 31, 1967. Source: DC Symbols (Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia), read October 3, 2026.
A gray Northern Mockingbird with dark wings and a long tail, perched on an oak branchFlorida How many bird species are in Florida?Northern MockingbirdIn 2026, bills to make the American flamingo the state bird passed the Florida House, 112 to 1, but died in the Senate on March 13, 2026, so the mockingbird stays.Painting: John Gerrard Keulemans, Onze Vogels in Huis en Tuin (1869–76)Since 1927Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3, 1927. Source: Florida Senate Bill 150 (2026), as filed (Florida Senate), read October 3, 2026.
Audubon’s plate of Brown Thrashers defending their nest from a black snake in a leafy bushGeorgiaBrown ThrasherPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since 1970Designated by the General Assembly on March 20, 1970, after a 35-year campaign by The Garden Club of Georgia. Source: Out My Backdoor: Invite the State Bird to Your Backyard (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division), read October 3, 2026.
A Hawaiian Goose standing on a rock, with a black head, a pale buff neck and a barred brown bodyHawaii How many bird species are in Hawaii?Hawaiian GooseNēnē is the bird’s Hawaiian name; in English it is the Hawaiian Goose (AviList: Nene).Painting: Prévost, Eydoux and Souleyet, Voyage autour du monde … sur la corvette La Bonite, Zoologie, Atlas (1841–52)Since The state bird since statehood, 1959Source: A Teacher’s Guide to Nēnē, Hawaiʻi’s Endangered State Bird (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife), read October 3, 2026.
A sky-blue Mountain Bluebird perched on a branchIdaho How many bird species are in Idaho?Mountain BluebirdPainting: Artist unrecorded, Reports of Explorations and Surveys for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, vol. 10 (1859)Since 1931Adopted by the legislature. Source: Idaho State Symbols (Idaho Secretary of State), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeIllinois How many bird species are in Illinois?Northern CardinalPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1929Chosen by a vote of Illinois schoolchildren. Source: Illinois’ State Symbols activity book (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), archived copy (the copy saved on March 20, 2026), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeIndiana How many bird species are in Indiana?Northern CardinalOfficially: “Red Bird or Cardinal”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1933Indiana Code 1-2-8-1 (Acts 1933). Source: Indiana State Bird (Indiana Historical Bureau, IN.gov), read October 3, 2026.
A bright yellow male American Goldfinch and a duller female feeding on thistle headsIowa How many bird species are in Iowa?American GoldfinchIowa calls it the eastern goldfinch, or wild canary; birders call it the American Goldfinch.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1933Designated by the Iowa Legislature. Source: Iowa State Symbols (Iowa Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowersKansas How many bird species are in Kansas?Western MeadowlarkOfficially: “western meadow lark”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1937K.S.A. 73-901, after a vote of Kansas school children. Source: K.S.A. 73-901, Designation (Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeKentucky How many bird species are in Kentucky?Northern CardinalOfficially: “cardinal”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1926A resolution approved February 17, 1926. Source: Moments in Kentucky Legislative History: State Bird (Kentucky Legislature, with the Kentucky Historical Society), read October 3, 2026.
A Brown Pelican perched on a mangrove branch, its long bill resting against its neckLouisiana How many bird species are in Louisiana?Brown PelicanPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since 1966La. R.S. 49:159: the official bird “after July 27, 1966” (first enacted in 1958). Source: Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:159, State bird (Louisiana State Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
Two chickadees with black caps and white cheeks perched on a leafy branchMaine How many bird species are in Maine?Black-capped ChickadeeMaine names the chickadee; its Secretary of State’s page calls it the Black-capped Chickadee.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since 1927Adopted by the Legislature of 1927. Source: State Bird: Chickadee (Maine Secretary of State Kids’ Page), read October 3, 2026.
Three Baltimore Orioles, two orange-and-black males and a paler female, among white dogwood blossomsMaryland How many bird species are in Maryland?Baltimore OriolePainting: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Bird-Lore (1922)Since 1947Chapter 54, Acts of 1947. Source: Maryland State Bird: Baltimore Oriole (Maryland Manual, Maryland State Archives), read October 3, 2026.
Two chickadees with black caps and white cheeks perched on a leafy branchMassachusetts How many bird species are in Massachusetts?Black-capped ChickadeeThe law names the chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus, an older scientific name of the Black-capped Chickadee).Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since Not statedMassachusetts General Laws, Chapter 2, Section 9. Source: Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title I, Chapter 2, Section 9 (Massachusetts Legislature), archived copy (the copy saved on November 14, 2025), read October 3, 2026.
Michigan How many bird species are in Michigan?Not yet verified. We couldn’t open Michigan’s official sources (the state’s site and the Legislature’s) when we checked, so we don’t list its bird yet.
A Common Loon in black-and-white summer plumage on the water, with a gray winter loon behind itMinnesota How many bird species are in Minnesota?Common LoonThe law names “the loon, Gavia immer”: the Common Loon.Painting: John and Elizabeth Gould, The Birds of Europe (1832–37)Since 1961Minnesota Statutes § 1.145. Source: Minnesota Statutes § 1.145, State bird (Minnesota Revisor of Statutes), read October 3, 2026.
A gray Northern Mockingbird with dark wings and a long tail, perched on an oak branchMississippi How many bird species are in Mississippi?Northern MockingbirdOfficially: “Mockingbird”Painting: John Gerrard Keulemans, Onze Vogels in Huis en Tuin (1869–76)Since Not statedSource: Mississippi State Emblems & Symbols (ms.gov, State of Mississippi), archived copy (the copy saved on June 15, 2026), read October 3, 2026.
Audubon’s plate of Eastern Bluebirds: a blue male in flight above two birds on a flowering stalk, one feeding the otherMissouri How many bird species are in Missouri?Eastern BluebirdOfficially: “native “bluebird” (Sialia sialis)”The law names the bluebird, Sialia sialis: the Eastern Bluebird.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since 1927Revised Statutes of Missouri § 10.010 (1927). Source: Missouri State Symbols: State Bird (Missouri Secretary of State), read October 3, 2026.
A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowersMontana How many bird species are in Montana?Western MeadowlarkPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1931Montana Code 1-1-504, after a referendum vote of Montana school children. Source: Montana Code Annotated 1-1-504, State bird (Montana Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowersNebraska How many bird species are in Nebraska?Western MeadowlarkPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1929Designated by legislative action. Source: State Symbols (Nebraska Secretary of State), read October 3, 2026.
A sky-blue Mountain Bluebird perched on a branchNevada How many bird species are in Nevada?Mountain BluebirdPainting: Artist unrecorded, Reports of Explorations and Surveys for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, vol. 10 (1859)Since Not statedSource: Mountain Bluebird (Nevada Department of Wildlife), read October 3, 2026.
Two rosy-red male Purple Finches and a streaked brown female on larch twigsNew Hampshire How many bird species are in New Hampshire?Purple FinchPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1957Source: Facts & Firsts (Visit NH, New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development), read October 3, 2026.
A bright yellow male American Goldfinch and a duller female feeding on thistle headsNew Jersey How many bird species are in New Jersey?American GoldfinchNew Jersey calls it the eastern goldfinch; birders call it the American Goldfinch.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since Not statedSource: New Jersey State Symbols (NJ.gov, State of New Jersey), read October 3, 2026.
A Greater Roadrunner with a streaked brown body and a long tail, standing on a rockNew Mexico How many bird species are in New Mexico?Greater RoadrunnerPhoto: Norman Kuring, CC BY 4.0Since 1949Adopted by the State Legislature on March 16, 1949. Source: State Bird (New Mexico Secretary of State), read October 3, 2026.
Audubon’s plate of Eastern Bluebirds: a blue male in flight above two birds on a flowering stalk, one feeding the otherNew York How many bird species are in New York?Eastern BluebirdThe law names the bluebird, Sialia sialis: the Eastern Bluebird.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since 1970State Law § 78, signed May 18, 1970. Source: New York State Emblems (New York State Library), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeNorth Carolina How many bird species are in North Carolina?Northern CardinalOfficially: “cardinal”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1943Session Laws 1943, c. 595, after a statewide vote run by the North Carolina Bird Club. Source: State Bird of North Carolina: Cardinal (NCpedia, State Library of North Carolina), read October 3, 2026.
A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowersNorth DakotaWestern MeadowlarkPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1947Source: Western Meadowlark (North Dakota Studies, State Historical Society of North Dakota), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeOhio How many bird species are in Ohio?Northern CardinalOfficially: “cardinal”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1933Source: Ohio’s State Nature Symbols coloring book (Ohio Department of Natural Resources), read October 3, 2026.
A pale gray Scissor-tailed Flycatcher with very long forked tail feathers perched on a twig, a moth below itOklahoma How many bird species are in Oklahoma?Scissor-tailed FlycatcherOfficially: “scissortail flycatcher”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1951Adopted by the State Legislature. Source: Species Spotlight: Scissortail Flycatcher (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, in Oklahoma’s state publications collection), read October 3, 2026.
A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowersOregon How many bird species are in Oregon?Western MeadowlarkPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since Not statedSource: State Symbols (Oregon Blue Book, Oregon Secretary of State), read October 3, 2026.
A Ruffed Grouse standing in snowy woods among bare shrubs, with a second grouse behind itPennsylvania How many bird species are in Pennsylvania?Ruffed GrousePainting: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Bulletin of the Biological Survey (1904)Since 1931Source: Ruffed Grouse (Pennsylvania Game Commission), read October 3, 2026.
Rhode IslandRhode Island RedA breed of farm chicken (the state’s page notes Rhode Island Reds lay up to 300 brown eggs a year), not a wild species, so there is no wild-bird painting of it.Since 1954Adopted May 3, 1954. Source: State Symbols (Rhode Island Department of State), read October 3, 2026.
Audubon’s plate of two Carolina Wrens on a plant stem with spikes of red flowersSouth Carolina How many bird species are in South Carolina?Carolina WrenPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since Not statedSouth Carolina Code § 1-1-630. Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 1, Chapter 1 (South Carolina Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
A male Ring-necked Pheasant with a green head, red face and long tail, and a brown female beside itSouth Dakota How many bird species are in South Dakota?Ring-necked PheasantThe law says ring-neck pheasant: the Ring-necked Pheasant (AviList: Common Pheasant).Painting: John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter, The Birds of Asia (1850–83)Since 1943South Dakota Codified Laws 1-6-9 (SL 1943, ch 272). Source: Codified Law 1-6-9, State bird (South Dakota Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
A gray Northern Mockingbird with dark wings and a long tail, perched on an oak branchTennessee How many bird species are in Tennessee?Northern MockingbirdOfficially: “Mockingbird”Painting: John Gerrard Keulemans, Onze Vogels in Huis en Tuin (1869–76)Since 1933Source: State Symbols (TN.gov, State of Tennessee), read October 3, 2026.
A gray Northern Mockingbird with dark wings and a long tail, perched on an oak branchTexas How many bird species are in Texas?Northern MockingbirdOfficially: “Mockingbird”Painting: John Gerrard Keulemans, Onze Vogels in Huis en Tuin (1869–76)Since 1927Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8, 40th Legislature. Source: Texas State Symbols (Texas State Library and Archives Commission), read October 3, 2026.
A white California Gull with gray wings standing in a field, more gulls flying over the field behind itUtah How many bird species are in Utah?California GullThe law says “sea gull”; the bird meant is the California Gull. No gull species is actually called a sea gull (Utah State Library).Painting: Floyd Burton Bralliar and E. R. Kalmbach, Knowing Birds Through Stories (1922)Since 1955Utah Code 63G-1-601; the 1955 law was signed on February 16, 1955. Source: Utah Code 63G-1-601, State symbols (Utah Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
Two Hermit Thrushes, brown above with spotted breasts, on a branch with red berriesVermont How many bird species are in Vermont?Hermit ThrushPainting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, Havell edition (1827–38)Since Not statedVermont Statutes, Title 1, § 497. Source: Vermont Statutes, Title 1, Chapter 11 (Vermont General Assembly), archived copy (the copy saved on February 17, 2026), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeVirginia How many bird species are in Virginia?Northern CardinalOfficially: “Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since Not statedCode of Virginia § 1-510. Source: Code of Virginia § 1-510, Official emblems and designations (Virginia Law), read October 3, 2026.
A bright yellow male American Goldfinch and a duller female feeding on thistle headsWashington How many bird species are in Washington?American GoldfinchThe law says willow goldfinch, an older name for the American Goldfinch of the West (its subspecies salicamans); birders call it the American Goldfinch.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1951RCW 1.20.040. Source: RCW 1.20.040, State bird (Washington State Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
A red male Northern Cardinal and a brown female on the branches of a flowering treeWest Virginia How many bird species are in West Virginia?Northern CardinalOfficially: “cardinal”Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1949House Resolution 12, March 7, 1949, which let public school pupils and civic organizations name the bird. Source: West Virginia State Symbols (West Virginia Legislature), read October 3, 2026.
An American Robin, slate gray above with an orange-red breast, perched on a branchWisconsin How many bird species are in Wisconsin?American RobinThe law names the robin, Turdus migratorius: the American Robin.Painting: John and Elizabeth Gould, The Birds of Europe (1832–37)Since Not statedWisconsin Statutes § 1.10(3)(f). Source: Wisconsin Statutes § 1.10, State symbols (Wisconsin Legislature), archived copy (the copy saved on August 14, 2026), read October 3, 2026.
A Western Meadowlark with a yellow breast and a black V, crouched on the ground below orange flowersWyomingWestern MeadowlarkWyoming names the meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta: the Western Meadowlark.Painting: John James Audubon, The Birds of America, octavo edition (1840–44)Since 1927Adopted February 5, 1927. Source: Wyoming Facts and Symbols (Wyoming.gov, State of Wyoming), read October 3, 2026.

Why is the cardinal the state bird of so many states?

7 states chose the Northern Cardinal: Kentucky in 1926, Illinois in 1929, Indiana in 1933, Ohio in 1933, North Carolina in 1943 and West Virginia in 1949, and Virginia, whose law names it too. No national rule picked it. Each state chose its own bird, and several let the public vote:

What the state sources say about the bird helps explain the votes. The cardinal lives across more than half of the United States, and the male is bright red all year (North Carolina’s State Library); in Indiana it stays all year round, nesting in thickets of brambles and low saplings. Source: Indiana State Bird (Indiana Historical Bureau, IN.gov), read October 3, 2026.

Other shared birds were chosen the same way: Kansas and Montana school children voted for the Western Meadowlark, as both states’ laws say (Kansas, Montana).

Questions about state birds

Which bird is the state bird of the most states?

The Northern Cardinal: it is the state bird of 7 states, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of 6: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming. The Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of 5: Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

Which states have a chicken as their state bird?

Two: Delaware (the blue hen chicken) and Rhode Island (the Rhode Island Red, adopted in 1954). Both are breeds of farm chicken rather than wild birds.

Is Florida's state bird changing to the flamingo?

Not for now. In 2026, bills to make the American flamingo Florida's state bird, and the Florida scrub-jay its state songbird, passed the Florida House 112 to 1, but died in the Senate on March 13, 2026. The mockingbird stays Florida's state bird, as it has been since 1927.

Why do some state laws use old bird names?

Of the state birds whose year we could confirm, 31 of 35 were chosen between 1920 and 1959, and their laws use the names of their day. Alabama's yellowhammer is the Northern Flicker; the eastern goldfinch (Iowa and New Jersey) and the willow goldfinch (Washington) are the American Goldfinch; and Utah's law says sea gull for the California Gull. Bird names still change today, when scientists split or merge species.

Florida’s 2026 bills: HB 11 (2026), Designation of the State Birds: bill history (Florida Senate); SB 150 (2026), Designation of the State Birds: bill history (Florida Senate). Utah’s sea gull: Bird: Seagull (Utah's Online Public Library, Utah State Library), archived copy; Golden eagle named Utah's state bird of prey (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, March 25, 2022). Read October 3, 2026.

More about birds by state

If you’d like your own life list in print, Birdfolio turns it into a hardcover book, each species beside a classic painting like the ones above.

Sources

Each state bird comes from the official source linked in its row: the state’s law, or a page of a state agency, read on October 3, 2026. Where a state’s own website turned us away, we read the copy of that official page saved by the Internet Archive, and the row gives its date. Where we couldn’t read an official source, the row says “Not yet verified” and names no bird. Today’s species names follow AviList, the shared world list of bird species (version 2025b, CC BY 4.0), with its North American English names.