State Birds: Complete List of All 50 States

Every US state has an official state bird, and the most popular is the northern cardinal, which represents seven states, followed by the western meadowlark with six. These official birds were chosen to celebrate species meaningful to each state, from the common loon of Minnesota to the greater roadrunner of New Mexico. This guide provides the complete list of state birds, explains how they were chosen, highlights the most common ones, and shares interesting facts about them.

Complete List of State Birds

The table above lists the official state bird for all fifty US states. Most state birds are wild native songbirds or other familiar birds, though a few states chose domestic breeds, such as Delaware’s Blue Hen and Rhode Island’s Rhode Island Red, both chickens. Some birds represent multiple states, which is why you will see species like the northern cardinal, western meadowlark, and northern mockingbird appearing several times. The choices reflect a mix of beauty, familiarity, regional character, and history. Whether it is the brown pelican of Louisiana, the ruffed grouse of Pennsylvania, or the black-capped chickadee shared by Maine and Massachusetts, each state bird was selected to symbolize something about the state it represents. Many of these birds are common backyard species covered throughout our guides, including the northern cardinal and the American robin.

How State Birds Are Chosen

State birds are official symbols designated by each state’s legislature, and the process of choosing them varied from state to state. Most state birds were selected in the early to mid twentieth century, often through campaigns led by garden clubs, schoolchildren, ornithological societies, or civic groups who nominated and voted on candidate birds. The chosen species typically had to be native or common to the state, admired for its beauty or song, or otherwise meaningful to local identity. Once a bird was selected, it was formally adopted through state legislation, making it an official emblem alongside symbols like the state flower and state tree. Because these choices were made independently, some popular and widespread birds ended up representing many states, while others are unique to a single state. The result is a patchwork of official birds that reflects both natural heritage and local pride across the country, celebrating species like the eastern bluebird.

The Most Common State Birds

Several birds represent multiple states, making them the most common state birds. The northern cardinal leads the way, serving as the state bird of seven states, thanks to its brilliant red color and familiar presence, as explored in our guide to cardinal symbolism. The western meadowlark, known for its beautiful song, represents six states across the West and Great Plains. The northern mockingbird, famous for its mimicry, is the state bird of five southern states. The American robin and the American goldfinch each represent three states, while the black-capped chickadee, mountain bluebird, and eastern bluebird each represent two. The remaining state birds are unique to a single state, including distinctive choices like the greater roadrunner of New Mexico, the common loon of Minnesota, and the scissor-tailed flycatcher of Oklahoma. This overlap reflects how beloved certain widespread species are across the country.

Interesting Facts About State Birds

State birds come with many interesting stories and quirks. A few states chose domestic poultry rather than wild birds, with Delaware honoring its historic Blue Hen and Rhode Island selecting the Rhode Island Red, a famous breed of chicken developed in that state. Some state birds are strongly tied to their region’s landscape, such as Arizona’s cactus wren, which lives among desert cacti, or Alaska’s willow ptarmigan, a hardy bird of the far north that turns white in winter. Hawaii’s state bird, the nene, is a goose found only in the Hawaiian Islands and is one of the world’s rarest geese. A number of state birds are also shared symbols of natural beauty and song, like the hermit thrush of Vermont, prized for its ethereal singing. These official birds offer a wonderful window into the natural heritage and character of each state, from familiar backyard visitors to unique regional specialties, many of which appear in our guide to bird symbolism.

Why the Cardinal Is So Popular

The northern cardinal’s status as the most popular state bird is no accident, given how beloved it is. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the northern cardinal is one of the most common and recognizable backyard birds in eastern and central North America, a frequent and welcome visitor to feeders. Its brilliant red male, cheerful whistling song, year-round presence, and willingness to live close to people all help explain why seven different states chose it as their emblem. Unlike migratory birds that vanish for part of the year, the cardinal brightens yards through every season, including the depths of winter when its red stands out vividly against snow. This combination of beauty, familiarity, and constancy made the cardinal an easy favorite when states were selecting official birds, and it remains one of the most cherished birds in the country, as explored in our guide to cardinal symbolism.

State Birds Shared by Multiple States

One of the most interesting aspects of state birds is how a handful of species represent multiple states, reflecting their broad appeal. The northern cardinal leads with seven states, the western meadowlark represents six, and the northern mockingbird five, while the American robin and American goldfinch each stand for three. This overlap happened because states chose their birds independently, and certain widespread, admired species were naturally popular choices across large regions. The western meadowlark, for instance, is a beloved singer of the open grasslands that span many western and plains states, so it is fitting that so many chose it. Meanwhile, some states selected more unusual or regionally distinctive birds to stand out, resulting in unique emblems like the greater roadrunner or the common loon. This mix of shared favorites and one-of-a-kind choices gives the collection of state birds its character, celebrating species like the American robin.

Discovering Your State Bird

Learning your own state bird can deepen your connection to the birds around you and to your state’s natural heritage. Using the complete list above, you can find the official bird for your state and then look for it in your area, since most state birds are species you can realistically see, whether in your backyard, a local park, or the surrounding countryside. Getting to know your state bird, its appearance, song, behavior, and habitat, turns an official symbol into a living part of your world. Many state birds are covered in detail throughout our guides, so you can learn more about the species that represents your home. Whether your state bird is a familiar feeder visitor like the eastern bluebird or a more special regional bird, seeking it out is a rewarding way to appreciate the birds that states chose to honor, and to enjoy the wider world of birds in our guide to bird symbolism.

Related reading: types of quail.

Related reading: types of loons, types of grouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common state bird?

The northern cardinal is the most common state bird, representing seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Which bird represents the most states?

The northern cardinal represents the most states, with seven, followed by the western meadowlark with six and the northern mockingbird with five.

Do any states have a chicken as their state bird?

Yes, Delaware’s state bird is the Blue Hen and Rhode Island’s is the Rhode Island Red, both breeds of domestic chicken rather than wild birds.

How are state birds chosen?

State birds are designated by each state’s legislature, often after campaigns by garden clubs, schools, or civic groups, and are typically native or common, admired birds.

What is the rarest state bird?

Hawaii’s state bird, the nene or Hawaiian goose, is one of the rarest, found only in the Hawaiian Islands, though it has recovered somewhat from near extinction.

When were state birds chosen?

Most state birds were selected in the early to mid twentieth century, adopted through state legislation as official symbols alongside state flowers and trees.

What is the state bird of my state?

The complete list above shows the official state bird for all fifty states, from Alabama’s yellowhammer to Wyoming’s western meadowlark.