The mockingbird isn’t just for Texas

You probably know that the northern mockingbird is the state bird of Texas. It is also the state bird of four other states – Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The most popular state bird is the northern cardinal. It is claimed by seven states – Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.

Second most popular bird is the western meadowlark, the state bird of six states – Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming.

To me, the most unusual state birds are the yellowhammer, a type of woodpecker, for Alabama; the Rhode Island red chicken, for Rhode Island; and the blue hen chicken for Delaware.

While they don’t have a chicken for a state bird, folks in Louisiana do stand out with the brown pelican. Also unusual is Hawaii, where the nene, or Hawaiian goose, is the state bird. New Mexico claims the roadrunner and Minnesota is represented by the common loon.

All in all, I think the mockingbird is a fine choice. It has a most melodic song and is capable of great mimicry when in the mood.