The purple finch became the state bird of New Hampshire in 1957. It was proposed by Representative Robert S. Monahan and supported by various organizations. The bird is migratory and nests in forests, feeding on fruits, flowers, seeds, and insects. It is considered a pest by farmers and its range is threatened by urban development and other bird species.
State symbols and state animals are selected to represent the cultural heritage and natural bounty of a particular state. In the case of New Hampshire, the purple finch has been its state bird since legislation was passed in its favor on April 25, 1957. The proposal for the purple finch as New Hampshire’s state bird was made on February 12 1957 by Representative Robert S. Monahan of Hanover. He was opposed in this by Representative Doris M. Smollett of Hapstead, who proposed choosing the New Hampshire hen instead.
The purple finch proposal, however, was supported by the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, and the State Federation of Women’s Clubs. The latter had already selected the purple finch as the state symbol in 1927. After receiving approval from the New Hampshire General Assembly, Governor Lane Dwinell signed the bill into law on April 25, 1957, and the purple finch became the state bird of New Hampshire.
In appearance, the purple finch is a small bird with a broad head and a short, pointed beak. Male finches display a distinctive pink color on the head, breast, and wing bars, and dark red, mixed with brown streaks, on the nape and back. Female finches are tan, gray and white in color, with well-defined streaks of color. Both sexes have a white belly, brown wings, white undertail coverts, and a brown notched tail, and make a warbling “pik” sound.
The New Hampshire state bird is migratory in nature. In the summer, purple finches are mostly found in the southern parts of Canada and in the winter they migrate to the eastern regions of the United States. Some purple finches also live year-round in the northeastern regions of the United States.
The birds nest in coniferous and deciduous forests and are known to reside in shrubs, weeds and hedgerows. They reproduce in the summer. Female purple finches build the nest, taking about eight days to complete, and then lay four to seven greenish-blue eggs with brown or black spots. The female bird incubates the eggs for about 13 days and both parents are involved in feeding and raising the chicks. Chicks develop feathers about 16 days after hatching.
The purple finch feeds on fruits, flowers, seeds and insects. Given its fondness for fruits and flowers and the destruction it causes as a result, the New Hampshire state bird is considered a pest by farmers. It is not an endangered bird, but its range is threatened by urban development and the introduction of other finches and sparrows.
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