The pecking order, clockwise from the left: The Carolina wren, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, the northern cardinal and the roadrunner. All are contenders for the Texas State Bird, a title currently held by the mockingbird (not pictured).
Graphics from Metro Creative
Exploring Nature: A New State Bird?
Way back in 1927, Texas lawmakers decreed the northern mockingbird to be the official state bird.
Four other states agreed with this choice and the mockingbird also became the state bird of Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Today, some states are rethinking their choices of birds. Florida is considering bills which would change the state bird to either the flamingo or the Florida scrub jay.
Some folks are asking if the mockingbird is the best avian choice for Texas. They say this rather plain bird is a poor choice for a state as exceptional as Texas.
The Texas Ornithological Society has selected the scissor-tailed flycatcher as its official bird. This is certainly a spectacular bird and has its share of backers for state-bird status. It is currently the state bird of Oklahoma, but more of these flycatchers breed in Texas than anywhere in the world.
Another bird suggested for state bird status is the painted bunting. It is anything but plain, with colors including yellow, green, blue and orangish red — a regular rainbow bird. Plus, it is found statewide.
Or how about the greater roadrunner? This bird is found in 12 different states, but Texas is the only one in which the roadrunner can be found in any part of the state. New Mexico claims this bird as its state symbol, but there are parts of New Mexico where the roadrunner does not live.
Cases can also be made for the golden-cheeked warbler or the whooping crane.
Every golden-cheeked warbler is a true Texan since this little bird breeds only in central Texas. The whooping crane winters along the Texas coast and is the tallest North American bird, standing about five feet tall.
Other birds sometimes mentioned are the greattailed grackle and the crested caracara. What do you think?
I personally see more black-crested titmice, Carolina wrens and northern cardinals than any other species. But a mockingbird is rather special, and its wonderful repertoire of songs and calls is unmatched. I think it makes a fine state bird.
