Illinois State Bird

What Is The Official State Bird of Illinois?

Illinois shares its state bird, the Northern Cardinal, with handful of other states. It is one of the most common birds to live in the area, and the red bird is frequently spotted in the backyards of suburban homes throughout the area. Illinois picked the Northern Cardinal to be the official state bird at the beginning of the 20th century, and the bird thrives in the forests of the rural areas as well as in the backyards of the homes in the surburbs.

Why Did Illinois Pick the Northern Cardinal as its State Bird?

The state of Illinois elected the Northern Cardinal to be the official state bird for a handful of reasons. A lot of states tend to pick birds that are common in the region, and Illinois did the same thing. Also, like other states, the schoolchildren in Illinois held a vote at the beginning of the 20th century to see which bird they wanted to nominate. This was pushed by the National Federation of Professional Women's Clubs, and the kids picked the Northern Cardinal as the state bird. This was proposed to the legislature, which took a year to codify the Northern Cardinal as the official state bird. Even though a handful of other states would go on to pick the Northern Cardinal, Illinois was the first one to do so. Of note, the kids were picking between the Bluebird, the Meadowlark, and the Bobwhite.

When Did Illinois Pick the Northern Cardinal as its State Bird?

Illinois picked the Northern Cardinal to be the state bird in 1929. The vote was held in 1928, and the results became official in 1929. Then, in summer of that year, the Northern Cardinal was made the official state bird by the legislature.

What Does the Northern Cardinal Look Like?

The Northern Cardinal is a popular bird with a bright red appearance. It can be spotted in the woods and in the bkacyards of people living in the area. The male and female Northern Cardinals tend to look similar to other another. The female bird has a few yellow and gold patches that the male does not have, but overall, the birds look similar to one another. The Northern Cardinal is about nine inches long, and they have a wingspan of about 12 inches. The brightness of the red feathers can change throughout the year, but the bird is easy to spot against the blue sky and green trees that are common in Illinois.

How Does the Northern Cardinal Behave?

The Northern Cardinal is a bird that stays in one place throughout the year. It is not unusual for the bird to stay in one spot for its entire life. They like to live in the backyards of people's homes because it feeds on the weeds that grow in the area. The Northern Cardinal is also commonly found in local parks, forests, and near the banks of a few streams in the region.