Washington’s State Bird

In 1928, Washington school children voted for the western meadowlark as state bird. However, the meadowlark already represented several other states. Therefore, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction called for another vote.

In 1932, the “willow goldfinch” was selected by school children and the Federated Women’s Clubs. It is the same species that represents distant Iowa and New Jersey, commonly called the American goldfinch.

The goldfinch reportedly finished way ahead of the tanager, song sparrow, junco, and pileated woodpecker. The goldfinch was probably chosen largely due to its bright yellow and black colors. It was officially adopted on March 19, 1951.

Goldfinches were rarely reported in Washington during the first fifty years of settlement. The seed-eaters became more common as farms began to dot the landscape.

If a new vote was taken today, the endangered spotted owl would almost certainly be a leading contender. Many Washingtonians don’t even know the goldfinch is their state bird, but almost everyone has heard of the spotted owl.

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