Virginia State Bird

What Is the Official Bird of Virginia?

The Northern Cardinal is one of the most popular picks for state birds, and Virginia is no different. The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of Virginia, and it shares this state bird with several other states. In the backwoods of Virginia, this red bird is one of the most common sites. It can also be found in a lot of the suburbs scattered throughout Virginia. Finally, if people go hiking in the woods of Virginia, they will probably spot the Northern Cardinal living there as well.

Why Did Virginia Pick the Northern Cardinal as the State Bird?

There are several reasons why Virginia decided to go with the Northern Cardinal as the official state bird. There were a lot of states that were picking state birds at the start of the 20th century, and many states were turning this task over to schoolchildren. The kids would vote on what they wanted to be the official state bird.

Overall, Virginia wanted the state bird to be something that was important to the state. Because the Northern Cardinal is such a common sight throughout Virginia, the pick made sense. Of course, the Northern Cardinal is one of the most common birds in the country, so there are several other states that decided to pick the Northern Cardinal as the state bird as well.

When Did Virginia Pick the Northern Cardinal as the State Bird?

Virginia elected to go with the Northern Cardinal as the official state bird in 1950. Of note, there are a few other states that have gone with the Northern Cardinal as well, with the first state to pick the Northern Cardinal being Illinois, which did so back in 1929.

What Does the Northern Cardinal Look Like?

The Northern Cardinal is one of the easiest birds to spot in the country. It is known for having a bright red appearance, and it can be found in the woods and back yards of Virginia. The female and male versions of the Northern Cardinal tend to have a very similar appearance to one another. The female bird has a few gold or yellow feathers, but the male bird does not have this type of coloration. Even though the Northern Cardinal is a relatively small bird, measuring only nine inches in length, it has a wingspan of approximately one foot. The red feathers can change in terms of their parents throughout the year, but they are still very easy to spot against the beautiful blue sky of Virginia.

Does the Northern Cardinal Migrate?

No, the Northern Cardinal is not a bird that migrates south through the winter. It tends to make a home very early in its life, and it stays there forever. It is not unusual for people who live in Virginia to have a Northern Cardinal nest in the backyard. They also feed on weeds in the area, so many people like having a Northern Cardinal nest on their property.