Thursday, March 29, 2012

Stately Birds of State

I'm ashamed to say that I've run out of new material for the rest of this week. As such, I'm repurposing an old post I did for Birding Is Fun on state birds. 

Birders have an odd, or at least an unusual habit. They spend their time and money chasing and watching and listening to various flying things, often with little to show for their efforts beyond a fond memory and a check on a list. Given the semi-eccentric status with which birders are often regarded, it is also a bit odd and fun that, by 1973, every state in the union had chosen an official state bird.


State birds were selected for a myriad of reasons. Some birds were chosen because they were beautiful. Others were chosen because they're mostly unique or exclusive of one particular state, and are therefore more iconic. Many state birds are just common and pleasing sights in their respective states, which may in part be why the Northern Cardinal and Northern Mockingbird represent 12 states between them.


Some birds possess historical associations, while others have an economic importance. At first glance, it may seem unusual that the California Gull is the state bird of Utah, but to the Mormon settlers it was an invaluable ally against the grain-devouring locust swarms in the Salt Lake area. With its red, black, and yellow feathers, the Yellow Shafted Flicker sported the same colors as Alabama's militia and Civil War regiments. The Ring-Necked Pheasant of South Dakota is not even native to North America, but it brings in substantial revenue with the hunting market every year, and is a recognizable part of the rugged Dakota plains culture. 


Pick your poison 
In many cases, the state bird was debated and agreed upon by a state's legislature, and at times even decided by a gubernatorial pronouncement. For some states, there was little debate as to the appropriate mascot. Louisiana already had a pelican on their flag and state seal, and even though the emblem looks more white than brown, the Brown Pelican was installed as the state bird by unanimous decision. It took much more debate to enact the Bluebird as New York's state bird, with representatives of urban constituents lobbying hard for various species of Sparrows and even the Rock Pigeon, on the basis that those birds would be more recognizable to the majority of New Yorkers.

The Cactus Wren was elected Arizona's state bird by unanimous decision on March 16th, 1931. I've always found it to be an interesting decision, given that Arizona hosts so many unique species that are not found elsewhere in North America. There are the magnificent tropical species that make their into the southeast corner of the state, and there are also the common desert dwellers like the Gila Woodpecker, which is seldom found outside of Arizona. And yet, it was the somewhat drab and abrasive-souding Cactus Wren that won high office. 

The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America, and it is probably the loudest. This curious and courageous bird can be found almost anywhere in southern Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Texas, though it seldom strays into elevations above 4,000 feet. Unlike the other wrens, which also tend to be less gregarious, the Cactus Wren feels very comfortable both out in the open and near people. The fact that it is fairly common and conspicuous were likely the determining factors in its election as a state representative. 


It is also unique among the wrens in that it keeps its tail pointing downward, using it to help balance as it scurries along tree branches and under shrubs in search of food.


As one might expect, they also make ready meals out of the prickly pear and other cactus fruit that abound in their desert scrub habitat.


Cactus Wrens mate for life and are prolific nest builders. The male will often build 6 or 7 nests, mostly to serve as decoys and larders, before the female picks her favorite and lays her eggs. They like to nest in the cholla cactus and yucca plants around the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, and will use all kinds of materials in their homemaking.


I'm not sure how well the Cactus Wren's strengths and virtues embody those of the average Arizonan. We don't tend to be too loud or exceptionally large for our species. Then again, Arizona did have a booming housing market, and we do tend to keep our tails pointed downwards, so maybe there is something to it after all.

Birding is fun, and it's interesting to explore all of the different ways that birds impact and express aspects of our culture, even in ways we might not expect. What are some other fun state birds and their connections to the states? How do these birds affect you? Is yours a good representative, or would you nominate another this election year, if possible?

8 comments:

  1. I am from Wisconsin and the state bird is rightly the American Robin as this bird is cherished by Wisconsinites. It marks the sign that spring has finally arrived....which is a very good thing. Now that I live in Arizona, I have always thought that the Roadrunner should be our states bird, but the Cactus Wren is okay.....which leaves me to finish....that picture with the Wren and purple flowers is outstanding....good combo together.

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    1. Thanks Chris. The Robin is a great choice, and as you mention must be one of great optimism and relief up north. I've often thought that the Roadrunner would be a great state bird, we all want to have something really unique (plus New Mexico beat us to it grrr). I guess my trouble with both the Cactus Wren and the Roadrunner (not a real trouble, just maybe a reason I wouldn't have picked them for state birds) is that they're not endemic to Arizona. Of course it's not alway possible, but ideally a state bird could be pretty unique to the states, but Roadrunners and Cactus Wrens can be found throughout the American southwest.
      Something like the Gila Woodpecker or Verdin, which are commonly found year round and not really outside of AZ...thats the sort of way I might vote.

      Thanks for a great comment.

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  2. I love the picture of the wren on the prickly pear! This bird has such pretty markings on its belly and tail!

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    1. Thanks Anonymous,

      The Cactus Wren really is a beautiful bird meriting a top-to-bottom inspection.

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  3. Laurence, great post! I understand that people in Florida are trying to change the State bird to the Florida Scrub Jay which I think is marvelous because Florida is the only place that they reside in!

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    1. That's cool Mia I hadn't heard about Florida, but that'd be a great promotion. I agree that the Florida Scrub Jay would be an improvement on the Mockingbird. Florida has so many unique species too.

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  4. What great shots of the Cactus Wren.....he's a beaut!

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    1. Thanks KaHolly. They're quirky birds but are mighty handsome nonetheless. State bird or no, it's great to have em' around.

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