# Are You Happy With Your State Bird **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 4, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664 "2009-06-04T05:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/61 "2009-06-04T18:12:44Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > Another mockingbird state here (Texas), and I’m not happy with it. They can be annoying and are kinda plain. > > Some alternates I’d like to see considered: The Whooping Crane, the Rio Grande Wild Turkey, the blue jay, the cattle egret. While the Rio Grande Wild Turkey would certainly be emblematic, I’m not sure many would consent to giving it up as a game bird. It does make for excellent hunting. How about the [Attwater Prairie Chicken](http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/attwater/index.html)? Like us Texans it’s very adept at puffing out its chest and making unusual noises. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/62 "2009-06-04T18:15:39Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > No, I’m not. Not at all. > > He knows why. His uppance will come. > [@Tamerlane](#): > > In the _old_ days, when I was a wee lad living in SF ( mid-1970’s ), they were quite common in Golden Gate Park. But feral cats and increasing urbanization has drastically reduced that local population - as of the mid-2000’s there were four adults of breeding age. Still to be found occasionally though - searching for numbers I found this guy’s [quail photos](http://mustap.smugmug.com/gallery/3841870_jN7uQ/1/222288736_RGK5X#222288736_RGK5X). Really a rather pretty bird. Very cute, but in a cock-fight, the MN loon would eat that little birdy for lunch. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/63 "2009-06-04T18:23:04Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Very cute, but in a cock-fight, the MN loon would eat that little birdy for lunch. Laughing maniacally the entire time… ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/64 "2009-06-04T19:23:30Z")
I’m very fond of mockingbirds, but why isn’t the Florida Scrub Jay our state bird? It’s unique to Florida! ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/65 "2009-06-04T19:26:50Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > They are the only bird that immediately comes to the freshly filled birdbath and shits in the water, so all the water is fouled.The bird is a shit machine and only the larger birds like geese are worse for fouling every inch of the yard. The robin is a horrible bird. They don’t call 'em _Turdus migratorius_ for nothing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/66 "2009-06-04T19:53:07Z")
I’ve seen California quail on the beaches in the North Bay. But I agree that the condor would be a better state bird. Which is on the CA state quarter? The condor. Because California condors are awesome. I have no opinion on the Michigan or Illinois (depending on who you ask, I am a resident of either or both of these states) state bird. I saw a cardinal recently, here in Michigan, though. They’re really beautiful birds. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/67 "2009-06-04T21:22:19Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Only one state has a state question, and you know who you are. The question is, “Red or green?” New Mexico? It sure seems to be the most important question in the states and gets asked at every meal. ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/68 "2009-06-04T22:10:11Z")
I like how Utah’s state bird is the _California_ gull. Six states have multiple state birds. Despite that, there are only 31 unique species between the 50 states. Methinks someone could have put a little more thought into the selection process for some of these… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/69 "2009-06-04T22:41:29Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Ruffed Grouse for the win! Unique among state birds (no other state has it) and tell me this isn’t [badass](http://i1.treknature.com/photos/1775/dscn0016.gelinote_huppe2.jpg)… Never actually seen one, but how can you not love the very name, “ruffed grouse”? ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/70 "2009-06-04T22:44:32Z")
I am thrilled that New York State has the bluebird as its bird. Yes, even though I’m way old and have lived here forever and I have NEVER SEEN EVEN ONE EVER. (Beginning to think it’s some kind of hoax, like hummingbirds at one time. Till I actually put out a hummingbird feeder and they actually showed up, woo-hoo!) If you are looking for your cardinals, we have 'em all here in the pine trees. I don’t know any songbirds who don’t adore black oil sunflower seeds, if you put some out, you will be amazed at what shows up at the feeder. Except those elusive bluebirds… ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/71 "2009-06-04T23:20:33Z")
> [@Darwins\_Finch](#): > > I like how Utah’s state bird is the _California_ gull. Makes good sense, when you remember that the California Gull saved the early settler’s butts by eating up the swarming locusts whom were destroying the crops they so desperately needed, this is nothing more than proper gratitude. > [@](#): > > Six states have multiple state birds. Despite that, there are only 31 unique species between the 50 states. Methinks someone could have put a little more thought into the selection process for some of these… Perhaps they _did_..? I don’t see how uniqueness is a crucial qualification for state bird. Perhaps some birds are sufficiently kick-ass to own several states? OTOH, maybe some states are sufficiently kick-ass to have multiple birds… ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/72 "2009-06-05T00:51:18Z")
We’ve got the Lark Bunting here in Colorado. All in all a rather mediocre choice. The males can be reasonably attractive and they have a decent song… but they barely produce a meh from me. And they aren’t even full time resident of the state. I say toss the bums out. I would like to see us move to the [Gunnison Grouse](http://www.western.edu/bio/young/gunnsg/gunnsg.htm). It is a year round resident, almost only found in Colorado and a pretty cool bird in general. Add in the need for some conservation attention before they are wiped out, and I think they deserve the nod. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/73 "2009-06-05T01:01:47Z")
Cardinals are beautiful birds, and usually very skittish. One young cardinal nestling had fallen out of the nest and was hopping around in my yard. I never saw it until Papa Cardinal (his excellency?) dive bombed my head and took a few strands of hair out of my head. I find it interesting that “doves” are not a state bird in any state. There are lots of them around where I live. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/74 "2009-06-05T03:02:13Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Or, what’s the one that goes _GUKguhgukguhguk–HOOooh_HOO\*, HOOooh_HOO_? Is that a quail? That should just win for being everywhere all the time. Yes, that is probably the Gamble quail. Fun to hunt, I usually go around Globe every year. I like the roadrunner, but I also like the [Pyroloxia](http://www.nikonians.org/dcfp/user_files/125826.jpg). And New Mexico also has a state insect, the [Tarantula Wasp](http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/sep/papr/photos/th_drag.jpg). Red or Green? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/75 "2009-06-05T03:05:55Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Never actually seen one, but how can you not love the very name, “ruffed grouse”? I feel the same way about the Ruddy Duck. It’s kind of like ‘beagle’, words that are just fun to say. Ruddy Duck, Ruddy Duck, Ruddy Duck! ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/76 "2009-06-05T03:23:36Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Yes, that is probably the Gamble quail. Fun to hunt, I usually go around Globe every year. Huh. Nope. I’ve always been told that’s a quail, and I _see_ the little guys everywhere, but after searching around for some sounds, it’s definitely a [white-winged dove](http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/white-winged-dove.htm). I should’ve known that from growing up on '80s music. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/77 "2009-06-05T03:28:33Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Florida’s is apparently the Northern Mockingbird, which doesn’t make much sense to me. Where the hell are the Southern Mockingbirds? Argentina? Yep. There’s a number of different mockingbird species in the Americas, a number of which live & breed in the tropics. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/78 "2009-06-05T03:29:56Z")
Are you sure? I know both of those birds well, and the ‘HOOooh_HOO_, HOOooh_HOO_’ is definitely the quail. Unless I’ve somehow mis-translated your ‘HOOooh_HOO_, HOOooh_HOO_’. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/79 "2009-06-05T03:40:47Z")
Did you listen to the sound at the link I posted? Can you find a recording of the quail saying Hoo-ooh-HOO? ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664/80 "2009-06-05T04:04:00Z")
Québec’s official provincial bird is the Snowy Owl, which is a pretty damn cool bird, though I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen one outside of captivity. Most provinces have chosen [cool birds](http://members.shaw.ca/kcic1/birds.html); Alberta - Great Horned Owl Manitoba - Great Grey Owl Nova Scotia - Osprey Yukon Territory - Common Raven (I love that choice!) I think the loser is New Brunswick, with the Black-capped Chickadee, but that’s just my opinion! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-happy-with-your-state-bird/498664.md?page=5)