state bird oddities

• the state bird of utah is the california gull (related: the highest point of connecticut is on a mountain which peaks in massachusetts. go red sox!)
• 5 states have selected official birds FOR EATING in addition to their official state bird (3 turkeys and 2 quails)
• mississippi has selected a state waterfowl (the wood duck) IN ADDITION to its official state bird.
• the state bird of colorado, the lark bunting, is notable for a reason that i shall never reveal.
• the state birds of california, hawaii, rhode island, and delaware all have their state’s name in their name.
• the delaware blue HEN is a BREED of chicken (rather than a sex). why it was never called the (infinitely preferable) blue cock, we shall never know.