Texas State Bird

Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Adopted: January 31, 1927

Texas State Bird: Mockingbird
Photographs, posters, prints

Suggested by the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, the mockingbird was adopted as the official state bird of Texas by an act of the Legislature, approved on January 31, 1927. The mockingbird was chosen as the official state bird because

"It is found in all parts of the State";
"...ornithologists, musicians, educators and Texans in all walks of life unite in proclaiming the Mockingbird the most appropriate species for the state bird of Texas";
"...is a singer of distinctive type, a fighter for the protection of his home, falling if need be, in its defense, like any true Texan";
"The Texas Federation of Women's Clubs named the mockingbird as the State bird of Texas and asked the Fortieth Legislature to adopt it."

THE MOCKING BIRD DECLARED TO BE THE STATE BIRD.

[S. C. R. No. 8.]

WHEREAS, the State of Texas at present has no State bird, and

WHEREAS, the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs has adopted appropriate resolutions on this subject, as follows:

SELECTION OF A STATE BIRD.

"WHEREAS, The Texas Federation of Women's Clubs is supporting a program for the protection of birds and sponsors any legitimate movement that has for its object an increased interest in their economic and aesthetic value and a more intelligent and sympathetic understanding of our feathered friends; and

"WHEREAS, The committee on birds and flowers, after investigation and deliberation, thinks the time is opportune for the selection of a state bird; and

"WHEREAS, Ornithologists, musicians, educators and Texans in all walks of life unite in proclaiming the mocking bird the most approprate species foe the state bird of Texas, as it is found in all parts of the state, in winter and in summer, in the city and in the country, on the prairie and in the woods and hills, and is a singer of distinctive type, a fighter for the protection of his home, falling, if need be, in its defense, like any true Texan;

"Therefore BE IT RESOLVED, That the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs in convention assembled, go on record as naming the mocking bird the state bird of Texas, and asking that confirmation of such action be had at the approaching regular session of the 40th Legislature ;" therefore be it

RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING:

That the recommendation of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs be and are hereby adopted and that the mocking bird be and the same is hereby declared to be the state bird of Texas.

Approved by Governor, January 31, 1927.

Texas Law

The following information is excerpted from the Texas Statutes, Government Code, Title 1, Chapter 3101, Section 3101-007.

GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 3101. STATE SYMBOLS
SECTION 3101.007

§ 3101.007. STATE BIRD. The state bird is the mockingbird.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 7.001, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Sources...

Texas Statutes, (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/statutes.html), April 14, 2005.
Shankle, George Earlie. State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols. Irvine, Calif.: Reprint Services Corp, Revised edition, 1971.
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Mimus polyglottos (Northern Mockingbird): University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web.

State birds: Complete list of official state birds from NETSTATE.COM.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Texas state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.

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All the birds of Texas and most of those found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana are illustrated here in 60 plates that show key features. Descriptions of 542 species, silhouttes, and comparisons of similar species help with accurate identification.

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