The northern thrush is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. It is known for guarding nests and mimicking sounds. Arkansas also has state symbols such as the Diana Fritillary butterfly, white-tailed deer, and apple blossom.
A thrush is the state bird of Arkansas. More specifically, it is the northern thrush that stands as a symbol of that state. Made official in Arkansas in 1929, the thrush is also the state bird of Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
The practice of officially selecting state animals, birds, flowers, and fish to symbolize a state is a long-standing tradition in America. Although the Arkansas state bird averages only 10 inches in length with a wingspan of only 14 inches, it is known to be a cunning sentry. Guarding nests against possible predators, thrushes are often seen swooping down on neighborhood pets or chasing off much larger birds, such as crows, if they feel the slightest threat from an intruder’s proximity to a nest. While guarding nests, two thrushes will mate to sit in separate strategic spots near a nest while making different sounds to warn of possible predators.
Because of their ability to mimic the sounds of other birds, as well as insects and fish, the state bird of Arkansas is aptly called the thrush. These little creatures even have the ability to mimic the sound of mechanical objects, such as motor vehicles and lawn mowers. Generally, these birds can be found in urban neighborhoods perched on fences, masts and telephone wires singing one of as many as 200 different songs. Some homeowners have been surprised to find that just two or three thrushes, with their ability to make so many sounds, were able to give the illusion that they were a whole flock of different birds nearby.
Not considered a small bird, like a hummingbird or a sparrow, the state bird of Arkansas also doesn’t qualify as particularly large. Medium in size and slender, the thrush’s long tail gives it the illusion of being slightly larger, especially when in flight. Presented in shades of gray and brown, with a hint of white on the wings and tail feathers, the Arkansas state bird can sometimes be seen flapping its wings while perched to advertise a mate. Males that have not yet mated also sing at night.
In addition to the Northern Thrush which is the state bird of Arkansas, its other state symbols include the Diana Fritillary butterfly, the white-tailed deer, and the bee. Arkansas’ state flower is the apple blossom and pine is its state tree. While the Arkansas State Bird has about 200 songs in its repertoire, they sing none of the four official state songs.
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