10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2016

Baltimore Orioles spend their winters in Florida, Central, and South America, and migrate north to breed in much of the Eastern United States. In 1882 the legislature passed special provisions to protect the bird, decades before the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Maryland 105

Maryland Baltimore United States Legislature 105

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

The legislature named the goldfinch the state bird in 1935 , sharing the designation with Washington and Iowa. They are a brilliant yellow during breeding season and a faded gold in the winter, but even in their duller plumage can still can pop against a snowy winter scene.

New Jersey 150

New Jersey United States Legislature Iowa 150

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Instead, they are summer visitors, moving up to Colorado in the warm months to breed before returning to wintering grounds in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. During the summer breeding months, Lark Bunting males – a sparrow species – are jet black, their white wings contrasting beautifully with the dark bodies.

Colorado 103

Colorado Legislature North America New Mexico 103

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2015

In short, pesticide use in the 1950’s and 1960’s almost wiped them from North America. In 1961 they stopped breeding in Louisiana and a few years later disappeared altogether, prompting the legislature to name them the state bird in 1966.

Louisiana 160

Louisiana Pelicans Legislature United States 160