Recently, I've been working on a lot of crafts inspired by state symbols. That got me to thinking - has any state ever changed one of their symbols? Obviously, states have changed their flags and their seals, but has any state decided that their state bird no longer represents them? Or that there's a better choice for a state tree or flower? Let's dive in and find out!
State Birds
Here is the current list of state birds, along with their scientific name, picture, and the year they were designated. There have been quite a few additions in the form of state game birds, waterfowl, raptors, etc. but I only found three examples of states that changed the actual state bird. Florida just tried to change theirs, but it stopped in the Senate.
- North Carolina had originally chosen the Carolina Chickadee as its state bird in 1933. Due to concerns about its unpopular nickname, they repealed the designation after less than a week. Ten years later, NC selected he Northern Cardinal as its state bird.
- South Carolina changed its official state bird from the Northern Mockingbird to the Carolina Wren in 1948. They felt the Carolina Wren was a better choice because it is found in all areas of South Carolina and doesn't migrate away from the state.
- New Hampshire changed their state bird from the New Hampshire Hen to the Purple Finch in 1957. While there are no plans replace it, reports suggest climate change could push the species out of the state, potentially affecting its status.
State Trees
Here is the current list of state trees, with their scientific names, photos, and years they were adopted. I was only able to find one instance of a state changing their state tree. Kentucky had a bit of a kerfluffle with theirs, but ultimately it was not a change. Florida updated the cocoa tree on the state seal to the Sabal palm when they adopted it as the state tree in 1953, but that wasn't a change of state tree either.
- Utah changed its state tree from the Colorado blue spruce to the quaking aspen in 2014. The aspen is much more widespread in Utah than the blue spruce, which is the state tree of Colorado.
State Flowers
Here is the list of state flowers, their scientific names, images, and dates of adoption. Like the state birds, there have not been many changes, but there have been additions as states have designated state wildflowers and floral emblems. I was able to find two states that changed their state flowers. Tennessee had a bit of a crazy history with their state flower(s) but I'm not counting it as a change. Georgia has legislation in progress to replace their state flower, but it hasn't happened yet.
- Kentucky is the Bluegrass State, but they changed their state flower from bluegrass (which is not a flower) to the goldenrod in 1926.
- Indiana has changed its state flower from the carnation (1913) to the tulip tree blossom (1923) to the zinnia (1931) to the peony (1957). There is a vocal minority that wants to change the peony to a native flower, but for now the state flower is the peony.
