10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2015

Perhaps it was their flashy color or the males’ tall crest that attracted the legislature to the bird, because in 1943 the Northern Cardinal became the official state bird of North Carolina. To say Northern Cardinals are common is an understatement. ” That same sentiment is probably true for us all!

North Carolina 233

North Carolina West Virginia Legislature Virginia 233

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

The legislature named the goldfinch the state bird in 1935 , sharing the designation with Washington and Iowa. They are a brilliant yellow during breeding season and a faded gold in the winter, but even in their duller plumage can still can pop against a snowy winter scene.

New Jersey 150

New Jersey United States Legislature Iowa 150

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2015

It turns out that the women’s clubs had already chosen the wren , but the legislature disagreed. As a result, their populations have increased by over 1% per year since 1966, and as of 2010 their breeding population came in at around 14 million. Do I think they made the right decision?

South Carolina 157

South Carolina Legislature United States 2010 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2015

In 1961 they stopped breeding in Louisiana and a few years later disappeared altogether, prompting the legislature to name them the state bird in 1966. Brown Pelicans are also an example of a conservation success story – aided by Louisiana’s official state bird designation.

Louisiana 160

Louisiana Pelicans Legislature Seals 160

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2016

Baltimore Orioles spend their winters in Florida, Central, and South America, and migrate north to breed in much of the Eastern United States. In 1882 the legislature passed special provisions to protect the bird, decades before the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Maryland 127

Maryland Baltimore United States Legislature 127

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Instead, they are summer visitors, moving up to Colorado in the warm months to breed before returning to wintering grounds in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. During the summer breeding months, Lark Bunting males – a sparrow species – are jet black, their white wings contrasting beautifully with the dark bodies.

Colorado 117

Colorado Legislature Arizona North America 117