National Park ServiceAs in so many states, Nebraska’s state bird was promoted by the state Federation of Women’s Clubs. The following resolution was proposed at the Nebraska Federation’s convention at Kearney on October 25, 1928:
Whereas, the Conservation division of N.F.W.C. endorses the suggestion of the General Federation chairman of the division of wild life to choose for Nebraska a state bird, therefore be it
Resolved, that a bird typical of the prairies and abundant in all parts of the state be chosen by this convention assembled and the result combined with the vote of the school children of the state and interested societies to be presented to the next session of the State Legislature for legal acceptance.
This resolution was adopted almost unanimously, and members voted for five finalists. Noted for its joyous song, the western meadowlark received 202 of the 482 votes. Other top contenders were the robin, bobwhite, brown thrasher and house wren.
Nebraska school children were then invited to vote for their favorite. The western meadowlark won and was officially adopted on March 22, 1929. The western meadowlark had also been endorsed by the Ornithologist Union of Nebraska.
The meadowlark even appeared in the decorations of Nebraska’s then new State Capitol. Did any other bird have a chance?
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - Paperback
