Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v08n14)
Right in my Own Backyard - State Bird Review - by Brandt Carter
posted: Jul. 08, 2011
State Bird Review
Learning state capitals was mandatory when I was in the early grades. Being able to name them has been an asset for trivia ever since. Learning state flowers and birds never seemed all that pressing. Even still, I took pride in knowing my state flower was the zinnia (1931-1957). However, during my school days Indiana's state flower was changed to the peony in 1957. The peony was the third flower designated by our legislature, the carnation having been the first in 1913.
The Northern Cardinal has remained Indiana's state bird since it was chosen in 1933. (Indiana Code: IC 1-2-8-1 Sec. 1. The bird commonly known as the Red Bird or Cardinal is hereby adopted and designated as the official state bird of the state of Indiana. [Formerly: Acts 1933, c.223, s.1.])
In recent years, I've become intrigued by the varied birds that states have conferred special status upon. Selecting state birds began in 1927. Legislatures in Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming were the first to select their state birds. The last to choose its state bird was Arizona in 1973. Here is a list of state birds.
image courtesy of Brandt Carter
I have to imagine many of you are as curious as I was to see which state bird is the most popular. The Northern Cardinal takes that distinction, and we and Indiana can count ourselves among those who honor this beautiful bird. Maybe this is part of why I seem to take special delight in seeing cardinals at my feeders.
Now when you are playing road games on car trips or need a bit a trivia, you can impress others with your knowledge of the state birds. It's also just plain fun to think of how each bird is symbolic of its state.
brandt@broadripplegazette.com