What is the second most popular state bird?



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Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

 You might know that the Northern Cardinal is the most popular state bird. The cardinal was chosen to represent seven states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia).

According to Wikipedia “The selection of state birds began in 1927, when the legislatures for Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming selected their state birds.”

The Western Meadowlark is a close second, with six states to its name. It is the state bird of Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming. In third place is the Northern Mockingbird, named by five states. Three states chose the American Robin and three named the American Goldfinch. The Mountain Bluebird, the Eastern Bluebird and the Black-capped Chickadee were each selected by two states.



Image via Wikipedia

Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) female

Michigan has the American Robin as the state bird, but every year school children across the state try to change it to the Kirtland's Warbler. This is a rare bird (population ~2100) that used to nest exclusively in Michigan’s young Jack Pine stands. They have recently been spotted nesting Wisconsin too.

For a complete list of state birds go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_birds