Massachusetts State Bird

What Is the State Bird of Massachusetts?

The state bird of Massachusetts is the black-capped chickadee, which was selected to be the official state bird just prior to the US entry into World War II. This is a very small white and black bird that has a head that appears to be too big for its body. The residents of Massachusetts love the appearance of this bird, and it made the plump avian a great choice to be the state bird. The bird can be found in the trees surrounding the state, and it feeds on both plants and insects. In particular, this is a bird that eats poison ivy, which is another reason why the residents of Massachusetts love it so much.

Why Did Massachusetts Pick the Black-Capped Chickadee To Be Its Bird?

Massachusetts chose the black-capped chickadee to be the bird of the Bay State for a number of reasons. First, the black-capped chickadee is common throughout the state, which is one of the biggest reasons why a lot of states pick a specific bird. The bird can be found in the deciduous trees, the willow thickets, and the cottonwood groves. It also doesn't appear to mind people, as residents spot the black-capped chickadee throughout the local parks.

Massachusetts also picked the black-capped chickadee to be the state bird because of its cute appearance. The bird seems to be enthusiastic about nearly everything, and there are a lot of people in the state who approach life the same way. These are just a few of the many reasons why the Bay State picked the black-capped chickadee.

When Did Massachusetts Pick the Black-Capped Chickadee To Be Its Bird?

Massachusetts picked the black-capped chickadee to be its state bird in March of 1941 through an official piece of legislation. Of note, Massachusetts shares the black-capped chickadee with another state, Maine, which also adopted the black-capped chickadee to be its official bird.

What Is the Black-Capped Chickadee Like?

The black-capped chickadee is usually spotted singing from high up in the trees. Some people remark that the black-capped chickadee looks like it is wearing a tuxedo or a suit. It has a group of white feathers on its chest, surrounded by a group of black feathers that make the shape of a V, giving it the appearance of wearing formal attire.

The black-capped chickadee also has a silver beak with a black forehead. The overall appearance is typically cream, but the number of gray feathers can vary from bird to bird.

The black-capped chickadee also has a gray tail with black wings. Both the male and female black-capped chickadees are similarly sized, usually growing to between five and six inches long. The birds usually only weigh about a half of an ounce, making them one of the smallest birds in the wild. They tend to travel together until they find a mate. Then, once they make a selection, they head off to have babies and build a nest together.