Last updated on October 13th, 2022 at 03:19 pm
The mockingbird is Florida’s state bird and has been since April 23, 1927. But Florida’s choice isn’t unique because Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas also celebrate the northern or common mockingbird as their official bird.
The mockingbird is Florida’s state bird due to its traditional popularity as a songbird, and it’s inarguably the best mimic in the country. The mockingbird is an established species throughout the state. Plus, the bird is self-sufficient and a year-round resident of Florida.
Florida’s State Symbols Include the Mockingbird For 3 Reasons
Florida has several state symbols.
There are so many that you could call Florida the sunshine state of symbols. All US states have a distinct flag and seal and an official song or anthem.
Florida has both, but there’s also a state play, “Cross and Sword.”
It is customary for countries and states worldwide to have an official animal and bird. Many have an official flower, too.
But Florida is probably a unique case.
Sample these:
- State animal: Florida panther
- State bird: Mockingbird
- State butterfly: Zebra longwing
- State flower: Orange blossom
- State wildflower: Coreopsis
- State freshwater fish: Largemouth bass
- State saltwater fish: Atlantic sailfish
- State marine mammal: Manatee
- State saltwater mammal: Porpoise
- State reptile: American alligator
- State tree: Sabal palm
Florida isn’t done yet. Here’s more:
- State beverage: Orange juice
- State gem: Moonstone
- State shell: Horse conch
- State stone: Agatized coral
- State soil: Myakka fine sand
If you’re wondering why the mockingbird is Florida’s state bird, the lawmakers of the 1927 legislative session could very well respond with a why not.
But, in fairness, there were genuine reasons at the time.
The Northern Mockingbird Pleases Floridians and Tourists Alike
The common mockingbird has been a celebrated songbird and prized mimic in many parts of the country for centuries.
The northern mockingbird was so popular that people caged these birds, took nestlings from nests, and trapped the adults to be traded in cities.
For some time in the 19th century, mockingbirds were rarely found in many regions along the East Coast.
The best singers and mimics among the mockingbirds fetched premium prices in New York, St. Louis, and Philadelphia.
That’s why it’s easy to imagine why the Florida lawmakers cited the appeal of the mockingbird and its vocal skills while making it the official state bird.
The northern mockingbird pleases Floridians and tourists alike.
The bird has also featured in various artforms including:
- Books
- Songs
- Film
- Television
The Northern Mockingbird Is a Perennial Resident of Florida
The northern mockingbird is not only a permanent resident of Florida, but the species is also literally everywhere in the state and throughout the country.
The year-long presence and widespread habitat in the state must have influenced the lawmakers to select the mockingbird.
You’ll find hundreds of species in Florida, but many birds are migratory, and some aren’t present statewide.
An official state bird cannot have a limited or erratic presence throughout the territory.
Thus, the mockingbird’s prevalent and perennial presence is definitely a major factor.
The Mockingbird Is an Established and Self-Sufficient Species
While Florida is a birding haven, many species are imperiled in the state. Some of these species are also federally listed as endangered.
The mockingbird is neither endangered federally nor in any peril in Florida.
According to some estimates, there are 43 million breeding mockingbirds globally.
This statistic pertains to the northern mockingbird, which is mostly found in the United States.
The US native isn’t common in Europe, Asia, or other continents.
More importantly, the common mockingbird is a well-established and self-sufficient species in Florida.
The songbird doesn’t need any help from people or agencies to protect or provide for them.
This is especially true in Florida, with abundant ripe berries, fruits, and arthropods for the picking.
While the mockingbird can effortlessly find ripe berries and insects anywhere in Florida, you can still attract the mimics to your garden or backyard with some suet.
You may use suet, peanuts, or peanut butter, but don’t get suet cakes containing grains and seeds.
You may use Pine Tree Farms’ Peanut Butter Suet Cake from Amazon to attract mockingbirds.
This pack of 6 cakes weighs 12 ounces. Each cake has only three ingredients that mockingbirds love to eat:
- Rendered beef suet
- Chopped peanuts
- Peanut butter
The mockingbird is also drawn to suet containing dried berries, insects, or mealworms, but they won’t eat seeds or grains.
Also, serve the suet cakes in a feeder tray for mockingbirds, and if you use a cage feeder or a tube, it should have a perch.
Mockingbirds can’t hang upside down on feeders like nuthatches and woodpeckers.
Reasons Why the Mockingbird Should Not Be Florida’s State Bird
One reason why the mockingbird should not be Florida’s state bird is that the northern mockingbird isn’t a native species of Florida.
Another reason is that four other states have the same official bird.
However, the mockingbird is a US native and isn’t the only species to be the official bird of many states.
Seven states have the northern cardinal as their official bird:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Six states have the western meadowlark as their official bird:
- Kansas
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Wyoming
Interestingly, the mockingbird was also the official bird of 6 states:
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
In 1948, South Carolina rescinded the designation and changed its official state bird from the mockingbird to the Carolina wren.
Florida Senator Jeffrey P. Brandes has proposed a similar resolution to change the state bird, but he hasn’t suggested a fitting alternative to the mockingbird.
Senator Tina Scott Polsky has sponsored a bill and endorses the Florida scrub jay as the new official state bird.
Several names are floating around, which their proponents claim represent Florida more fittingly than the mockingbird. Some of these species are:
- Flamingo
- Florida scrub jay
- Roseate spoonbill
- Osprey
- Swallow-tailed kite
- White ibis
- Wood stork
While many in Florida don’t think that the mimic is a true representative of the state, at least not to the extent of being the official bird, there are contrarian views as well.
The executive director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida, Marion P. Hammer, published a counter in The Palm Beach Post.
She reasoned the scrub jay is a threatened species, while the prolific mockingbird thrives without any taxpayer dollars, government protection, or citizens’ efforts.
Hammer is also the state lobbyist for the National Rifle Association of America. Her counter may equally apply to the wood stork and spoonbill.
Both are imperiled species, and so was the osprey until recently. Besides, does anyone know if Florida will have a new official state bird?
If you enjoyed this article, we wrote another on California’s state bird. We explore reasons why the Valley Quail is California’s state bird.