Symbol | Official Item

Missouri designated the lovely eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) as the official state bird in 1927. The eastern bluebird is also the state bird of New York.  All State Birds

Tennessee designated the mockingbird (genus Mimus polyglottos) as the official state bird in 1933, selected through an election conducted by the Tennessee Ornithological Society (the northern mockingbird is also a state symbol of Florida, Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi. Tennessee also recognized a state game bird in 1988. All State Birds

The mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was designated the official state bird of Mississippi in 1944,  (the northern mockingbird is also the state bird symbol of Florida, Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas).  All State Birds

Northern Mockingbirds have extraordinary vocal abilities - they can sing up to 200 songs, including the songs of other birds, insect and amphibian sounds, even an occasional mechanical noise.

Mississippi designated the wood duck (Aix sponsa) as the official state waterfowl in 1974.  Wood ducks have several characteristics that are unusual in the duck family.

Facts

Wood ducks nest in tree holes

After they hatch, the ducklings must jump from the nest to get to water.  They can jump from a nest fifty feet or more above ground without injury. 

Wood ducks are one of only a few duck species with strong claws, enabling them to grip bark and to perch in trees.  

Mississippi designated the teddy bear as the official state toy in 2002. President Theodore Roosevelt went to the Mississippi Delta to hunt black bear in 1902, where he refused to shoot an injured bear.

A political cartoon poked fun at the president over this incident. The owner of a New York City toy store saw the cartoon and asked the president's permission to use the name "Teddy's bears" on a small stuffed bear cub toy (and Teddy Roosevelt consented). "Teddy's bears" soon became just "Teddy bears" and all stuffed bear toys are now called teddy bears.

The common loon (Gavia immer) was adopted as the official state bird of Minnesota in 1961.  All State Birds

Common Loon Facts

Loons are known for their cries, wails, and yodels - their eerie, echoing calls are a distinctive feature of Minnesota’s northern lakes. Approximately 12,000 of these unique birds make their summer homes in Minnesota.

Minnesota designated the morel mushroom (morchella esculenta) as the official state mushroom in 1984. Oregon is the only other state that recognizes a state mushroom (Pacific golden chanterelle). All State Foods

Minnesota designated Lake Superior agate as the official state gemstone in 1969. All State Gemstones

An unusually beautiful quartz stone banded with rich red and orange colors (derived from iron ore in the soil), Lake Superior agates were dispersed by glaciers in the last Ice Age. Found in northeastern and north central Minnesota, most Lake Superior agates are pea-size but some are as big as bowling balls and weigh over 20 pounds.

Michigan designated dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) as the official state wildflower in 1998 (the state flower is apple blossom, adopted in 1897). All State Flowers

Michigan designated the apple blossom as official state flower in 1897 (Michigan also recognizes a state wildflower).  All State Flowers