Ohio’s State Bird

In 1928, leaflets describing Ohio’s three most useful birds were circulated by Mrs. I.T. Frary, chairman of wildlife for the State Federation of (Women’s Clubs?) Ohio. Ballots were included, and the house wren received 7,649 more votes than its nearest rival.

On March 2, 1933, the house wren was replaced by the cardinal. In 1940, Life magazine featured a tribute to state birds, featuring paintings by renowned ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson. For some reason, the house wren represented Ohio.

But the cardinal is indeed Ohio’s state bird. Exactly why the cardinal was adopted is unknown.

A movement was once started to readopt the wren, but it gained little support. As red as Ohio’s carnation and the Buckeye symbol on Ohio’s flag, the cardinal remains Ohio’s favorite feathered symbol.

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