Cardinals, robins, and wrens, oh my! Take this quiz to see if you can correctly guess the official state bird for each state.
Can You Guess the Official State Bird of All 50 States?
Updated on Oct. 22, 2024
Alabama
Hint: This is a common species present year round in Alabama. You’ll also want to check out these hilarious bird photos.
Alaska
Hint: This bird is known for having feathered toes and changing from light brown in the summer months to snow white in the winter.
Alaska
Answer: Willow ptarmigan
Arizona
Hint: This white, brown, and black bird was officially adopted at the state bird in 1931.
Arkansas
Hint: This gray and white bird with an ear-catching tune also appears in the title of a very famous Harper Lee novel.
California
Hint: This state bird is known for being plump and small. It’s also a very prized game bird.
California
Answer: California quail
Colorado
Hint: Colorado’s state bird is part of the sparrow family. It’s well known for its courtship dance and song.
Colorado
Answer: Lark bunting
Connecticut
Hint: This bird is one of America’s favorite songbirds. It’s also in the name of a popular burger joint.
Delaware
Hint: This state bird is actually a chicken. It’s also the mascot for the University of Delaware.
Delaware
Answer: Blue hen chicken
Florida
Hint: Florida has the same state bird as Arkansas.
Florida
Answer: Mockingbird
Georgia
Hint: The governor declared this the state bird in 1935, it wasn’t publicly recognized as the state bird until 1970.
Hawaii
Hint: Hawaii’s state bird is a land bird that is a variety of Hawaiian goose. It’s claw-like feet and modified wing structure help it adapt to island life.
Indiana
Hint: Indiana’s state bird is one of the six other states that share a state bird with Illinois.
Indiana
Answer: Northern cardinal
Iowa
Hint: The male species of this bird is very bright. They like to eat seeds from dandelions, sunflowers, ragweed, and evening primrose.
Kansas
Hint: The state bird of Kansas is a familiar songbird. Do you know what it is?
Check out the best birding hotspot in every state.
Kentucky
Hint: This bird is known for its “cheer cheer cheer,” “whit-chew whit-chew” and “purdy purdy purdy” whistles.
Kentucky
Answer: Northern cardinal
Louisiana
Hint: If you know Louisiana’s nickname, you’ll know their state bird. It also appears on the state flag and seal.
Louisiana
Answer: Brown pelican
Maryland
Hint: Think about the name of the well-known baseball team from Baltimore.
Massachusetts
Hint: Massachusetts shares a state bird with Maine.
Massachusetts
Answer: Black-capped chickadee
Michigan
Hint: These birds are often seen pulling up earthworms in your backyard.
Michigan
Answer: American robin
Minnesota
Hint: The state bird of Minnesota can be found in and around lakes. They are known for their eerie cries, wails, and yodels.
Mississippi
Hint: This talented bird can sing up to 200 songs, some of which include the songs of other birds, and insect and amphibian sounds.
Mississippi
Answer: Mockingbird
Missouri
Hint: This blue and reddish-orange bird has a short tail and chunky body.
Montana
Hint: This state bird was actually chosen by Montana’s school children. It has a yellow breast and a black spot on the throat.
Montana
Answer: Western meadowlark
Nebraska
Hint: Nebraska’s state bird has a black and white striped head, yellow cheeks, and a bright yellow throat.
Nebraska
Answer: Western meadowlark
Nevada
Hint: Nevada shares a state bird with Idaho.
Nevada
Answer: Mountain bluebird
New Hampshire
Hint: The bird of this New England state has the color “purple” in its name.
New Jersey
Hint: This bird is also known as a wild canary or willow goldfinch.
New Mexico
Hint: New Mexico’s state bird is also a popular cartoon that runs really fast.
New Mexico
Answer: Greater roadrunner
New York
Hint: New York shares a state bird with Missouri.
New York
Answer: Eastern bluebird
North Carolina
Hint: The male species of this state bird is a brilliant red color.
North Carolina
Answer: Northern cardinal
North Dakota
Hint: This bird can be spotted on the western side of the continent (from Wisconsin down to Texas and over to the Pacific). It’s also in the same family as blackbirds and orioles.
North Dakota
Answer: Western meadowlark
Ohio
Hint: Ohio shares a state bird with Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Ohio
Answer: Northern cardinal
Oklahoma
Hint: This beautiful and graceful state bird is known for its scissor-tail.
Oklahoma
Answer: Scissor-tailed flycatcher
Oregon
Hint: You can often find this bird perched on fenceposts in grasslands.
Oregon
Answer: Western meadowlark
Pennsylvania
Hint: This bird, sometimes called the partridge, thrives in severe winter weather. Meet the festive flock of birds in the 12 days of Christmas.
Pennsylvania
Answer: Ruffed grouse
Rhode Island
Hint: This bird is actually pretty easy to guess because the state is in its name.
Rhode Island
Answer: Rhode Island Red
South Carolina
Hint: The state name is also in this bird’s name. This brownish-red bird has white stripes over the eyes.
South Dakota
Hint: This beautiful state bird has iridescent feathers, a red face, and a white stripe around its neck.
South Dakota
Answer: Ring-Necked pheasant
Tennessee
Hint: This songbird is another popular one. Do you know what it is?
Tennessee
Answer: Mockingbird
Texas
Hint: Texas has the same state bird as Tennessee (and a few other states).
Texas
Answer: Mockingbird
Utah
Hint: This heroic state bird helped to control the cricket population, which was ruining the crops in 1848.
Utah
Answer: California gull
Vermont
Hint: This small brown bird has a lovely, melancholy song.
Vermont
Answer: Hermit thrush
Virginia
Hint: Virginia shares a state bird with Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Virginia
Answer: Northern cardinal
Washington
Hint: The male species of this bird has a bright yellow body and black wings, the female species is more muted with an olive-yellow body and brown tail.
Washington
Answer: American goldfinch
West Virginia
Hint: West Virginia has the same state bird as Virginia and five other states.
West Virginia
Answer: Northern cardinal
Wisconsin
Hint: Wisconsin shares a state bird with Connecticut and Michigan.
Wisconsin
Answer: American robin
Wyoming
Hint: The state bird of Wyoming is the same as Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Oregon.
Wyoming
Answer: Western meadowlark
Originally Published on Reader's Digest
