Gary Helm
"Controversial State Bird"
In a "bird-rich" state like Florida, does the commonplace northern mockingbird deserve to reign as the official state bird?
According to the Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources, the Mockingbird "is a superb songbird and mimic. Its own song has a pleasant lilting sound and is, at times, both varied and repetitive." The bird was put in place in 1927 under Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3. The bird won over the Legislature in part because "the melody of its music has delighted the heart of residents and visitors to Florida from the days of the rugged pioneer to the present comer."
Someone else once wrote. "I am finishing this post the next day because I had to go buy a new computer after I threw my last one out the window when I read that Florida's state bird was the northern mockingbird. I cannot think of a more pathetic choice for one of the most bird-rich states in the nation. What's their state beverage, a half-glass of warm tap water?"
"The fact stands that four other states have the same official bird; Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. It's as overused as the northern cardinal (five states) and the western meadowlark (six states), and some make the convincing argument that every state should have its own bird."
Who would have ever "thunk" the Mockingbird could stir up so much controversy. The debate still "rages"!
I found this controversial little one along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County, Florida preparing to share its pleasant lifting sound to the world.
"Controversial State Bird"
In a "bird-rich" state like Florida, does the commonplace northern mockingbird deserve to reign as the official state bird?
According to the Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources, the Mockingbird "is a superb songbird and mimic. Its own song has a pleasant lilting sound and is, at times, both varied and repetitive." The bird was put in place in 1927 under Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3. The bird won over the Legislature in part because "the melody of its music has delighted the heart of residents and visitors to Florida from the days of the rugged pioneer to the present comer."
Someone else once wrote. "I am finishing this post the next day because I had to go buy a new computer after I threw my last one out the window when I read that Florida's state bird was the northern mockingbird. I cannot think of a more pathetic choice for one of the most bird-rich states in the nation. What's their state beverage, a half-glass of warm tap water?"
"The fact stands that four other states have the same official bird; Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. It's as overused as the northern cardinal (five states) and the western meadowlark (six states), and some make the convincing argument that every state should have its own bird."
Who would have ever "thunk" the Mockingbird could stir up so much controversy. The debate still "rages"!
I found this controversial little one along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County, Florida preparing to share its pleasant lifting sound to the world.