This is Bird Note.

Think a moment. What is your state bird?

All 50 states and the District of Columbia declare official birds.

Most were chosen many decades back.

To run his top candidate for state bird in those days,

it helped to be familiar, boldly colorful,

and have a punchy song.

The defiantly red, sweetly singing Northern Cardinal

purges as state bird in seven eastern states.

The sunny yellow western meadowlark sings its liquid phrases for six western states.

Bluebirds and gold finches flashed primary colors for another seven, and the northern

mockingbird, the country's most insistent songster, holds down five states.

So it is the exceptions to the loud and colorful to stand out. New Mexico elected the greater

roadrunner, a quirky emblem of the southwest. But the most ironic choice comes from the District of Columbia, the most raucous and unsubtle venue of all. They chose the wood thrush, a shy bird of forest shadows, with a voice approaching high art.

For Bird, I'm Mary McCann.