The eastern bluebird is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards in the eastern United States. With bright blue upperparts and a rusty reddish-brown breast, these birds are easily identifiable. They have a lovely, melodious song and make appealing yard birds. So it’s no wonder that a U.S. state would choose the eastern bluebird to represent its natural heritage. But which state made this choice?
The History of State Birds
The tradition of U.S. states selecting official state birds began in 1927, when the state of Florida chose the northern mockingbird. Other states quickly followed suit, with state legislators and citizens wanting to honor a bird that encapsulated the spirit or natural heritage of their state. While some states selected a commonly seen species like the northern cardinal or American robin, others opted for a rarer species more emblematic of their state’s specific ecology or culture. Today, all 50 U.S. states have an official state bird.
Why States Choose the Eastern Bluebird
The eastern bluebird makes a fitting choice for a state bird. These birds are widely distributed across eastern North America, easily recognized by sight and song, and beloved for their bright plumage and habit of nesting in suburban and rural yards. They represent the transition between winter and spring for many northern states. And efforts by conservationists to restore their populations through nest box programs have made bluebirds symbols of environmental stewardship and success.
At least four U.S. states chose the eastern bluebird to represent statewide values of natural beauty, environmentalism, and rural heritage. Let’s examine each of these states and the reasons behind their selection of the eastern bluebird as state bird.
Missouri
In 1949, the state of Missouri became the first to select the eastern bluebird as its official state bird. This choice recognizes the eastern bluebird’s wide distribution across the state and its symbolic ties to Missouri’s rural heritage and natural landscapes. The eastern bluebird is found statewide in open country, parks, farms, and suburbs during spring and summer. Its return each March coincides with the start of planting season, while its striking blue plumage echoes the blue skies of Missouri.
New York
New York chose the eastern bluebird as its state bird in 1970. This recognizes both the bluebird’s popularity among New York residents and its need for conservation. Eastern bluebirds are found across New York state, breeding in fields, orchards, parks, and backyards. But by the mid-1900s, their numbers had declined due to habitat loss, pesticides, and competition with non-native bird species.
Concerned citizens and conservation groups implemented nest box programs to support bluebird populations. The choice of the eastern bluebird as state bird honored these efforts and underscored the importance of environmental conservation. The state’s large population of birdwatchers also appreciated the selection of such a beautiful and beloved songbird.
North Carolina
North Carolina named the eastern bluebird as its state bird in 1943. This reflects the species’ ubiquity across the state and its cultural significance to North Carolinians. Eastern bluebirds are found year-round in open and semi-open habitats statewide. Many North Carolinians provide nest boxes, cultivating bluebird populations on their farms, ranches, and backyards.
Moreover, the bluebird’s presence resonates with North Carolinians as a reminder of familial roots and rural heritage. The eastern bluebird symbolizes a connection with nature that NC culture proudly fosters. In recognizing this loved bird as an official state symbol, North Carolina honors both the bluebird and traditional NC values of self-reliance, stewardship, and appreciation for the natural world.
Nevada
Nevada chose the mountain bluebird rather than the eastern bluebird as its state bird when it first selected an official state bird in 1967. But after a citizen campaign noting the mountain bluebird’s scarcity in the state, legislators granted official state bird status to the eastern bluebird in 2019.
The eastern bluebird was likely always the right choice to represent Nevada. Its range extends statewide, especially along the moist woodlands of the Sierra Nevada. Eastern bluebirds were also apparently easier for Nevadans to attract into their yards using nest boxes. Choosing this species highlights open spaces and riparian corridors as essential Nevada habitats while underscoring each citizen’s ability to steward local ecosystems.
Eastern Bluebird Fast Facts
Here are some key facts about the eastern bluebird, the beloved state bird of Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Nevada:
- The eastern bluebird is a small thrush measuring 6.5-8.5 inches in length.
- Males have bright royal blue upperparts, a rusty reddish throat and breast, and a white belly.
- Females are blue-gray above with a gray-tinged throat and breast and white belly.
- These birds breed in open country across the eastern U.S. and winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico.
- They mainly eat insects and berries.
- Bluebirds are cavity nesters but readily use nest boxes provided in yards and parks.
- They sing a lovely, melodic warbling song.
- Eastern bluebird numbers declined in the 1900s but rebounded thanks to nest box programs.
Other State Birds of the Eastern United States
While the eastern bluebird represents Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Nevada, other eastern states have selected different official state birds. Here are some other thrushes, warblers, finches, and backyard birds chosen as state avian symbols:
State | State Bird |
---|---|
Alabama | Yellowhammer |
Arkansas | Northern Mockingbird |
Connecticut | American Robin |
Delaware | Delaware Blue Hen |
Florida | Northern Mockingbird |
Georgia | Brown Thrasher |
Kentucky | Northern Cardinal |
Maine | Black-capped Chickadee |
Maryland | Baltimore Oriole |
Massachusetts | Black-capped Chickadee |
Mississippi | Northern Mockingbird |
New Hampshire | Purple Finch |
New Jersey | American Goldfinch |
Ohio | Northern Cardinal |
Pennsylvania | Ruffed Grouse |
Rhode Island | Rhode Island Red |
South Carolina | Carolina Wren |
Tennessee | Northern Mockingbird |
Vermont | Hermit Thrush |
Virginia | Northern Cardinal |
West Virginia | Northern Cardinal |
Conclusion
Of the eastern states, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Nevada stand out for their official designation of the eastern bluebird as state bird. This choice recognizes the bluebird’s beauty, melodious song, importance to ecosystems, and ability to thrive close to human settlements. The eastern bluebird encapsulates values like environmental awareness, stewardship, and an appreciation for nature and rural heritage. While many states honor backyard favorites like the northern cardinal and American robin, the eastern bluebird offers rarer symbolic meaning and ties to conservation and ecology.
So if you’re looking to spot the bold blue plumage and cheery song of the eastern bluebird, head to the state parks and backyards of Missouri, New York, North Carolina, or Nevada. Here you’ll find it fluttering in open country as a reminder of the beauty of the natural world, the resilience of threatened species, and the importance of our role as stewards of the land.