The Rhode Island Red is a successful farm chicken that can produce 200-300 eggs per year and is also farmed for meat. It was officially named the state bird of Rhode Island in 1954 after being developed there in 1854. Rhode Island’s state bird, the Rhode Island Red, is a successful farm chicken. This bird […]
Montana’s state bird is the western skylark, a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive V-shaped marking on its chest. It mainly eats insects and seeds and is protected in Montana. Male skylarks have two mates and females build elaborate nests for their three to six eggs. The western lark is different from the darker eastern lark […]
A welfare state is a government that provides for the well-being of its citizens, including education, housing, health care, and social services. It is socialist in nature and redistributes wealth through taxes. Difficulties include creating an efficient system and motivating people to improve their lives. Strictly speaking, a welfare state is a government that fully […]
A swing state is a US state where both presidential candidates have a chance of winning due to divided support. Swing states receive a lot of attention during elections, and are identified early on. They are often evenly divided due to regional or demographic factors, and are also known as purple or battlefield states. Candidates […]
The nene, a type of goose native to Hawaii, is the state bird. It has weak wings and prefers land to water due to adaptations made to its environment. The nene is endangered due to predation by introduced animals, but restoration efforts are underway. The state bird of Hawaii is the nene, a type of […]
Louisiana’s state bird is the brown pelican, which is the smallest of the pelican family. It suffered a decline in numbers due to harmful chemical pollutants but has since returned. Brown pelicans are unique as they are the only colored pelican known to man and exhibit unique behaviors. Certain pesticides have adversely affected the bird […]
States and territories differ in terms of government and representation. States are localized forms of domestic government, while territories are areas claimed by national governments. Territories may not have the same voting powers or tax requirements as states. Countries can have both states and territories, with territories having elected governors and legislatures but limited representation […]
Red clover, Trifolium pratense, is the state flower of Vermont and the national flower of Denmark. It is not native to the US but is naturalized and can be found in open fields and meadows. The plant is a member of the legume family and has been used for medicinal purposes. Vermont’s state flower is […]
Virginia does not have an official state song, but had “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” from 1940 to 1997, when it was retired due to controversy over its lyrics. Virginia has not been able to agree on a new state song since. “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” was written by James A. Bland, […]
The California state fish, the golden trout, is endangered due to crossbreeding with other trout species, particularly rainbow trout. Its habitat was protected in 1978, but threats include poor land management and hybridization. The fish is visually striking and feeds on insects. California’s state fish is the golden trout, which are typically found in Golden […]
The Cherokee rose, a small white flower with a yellow center, is the state flower of Georgia. It is native to China but has been found in gardens throughout Georgia. The flower is related to the history of Georgia and the Cherokee Indians, and is a treasured part of the state’s culture. The plant is […]
Alabama’s state song, written by Julia S. Tutwiler in the late 1860s and set to music by Edna Gockel Gussen, was adopted in 1931. The song references the state’s history of agriculture and mining and aims to inspire loyalty. Other popular songs about Alabama include “Stars Fell on Alabama” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” The state […]
Mississippi is known as “The Magnolia State” due to the state flower and tree, which can be found in various colors throughout the region. Magnolias are a genus of shrubs and trees that have been around for nearly 100 million years and can be found in various parts of the world. While some species are […]
Iowa’s official state song, The Song of Iowa, was adopted in 1911 and was written by Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers. The Corn Song, an unofficial state song, is more popular and was written by George Hamilton in 1912. Iowa is known for its corn and other agricultural products, and has various state symbols including the […]
The Utah State Tree is the blue spruce, a medium to large evergreen tree with stiff, needle-like leaves and cylindrical cones. It is abundant in mountainous regions of the western United States and eastern Canada, and is used for ornamental purposes and as a Christmas tree. The wood is suitable for fuel and lumber, but […]
The scissor-tailed flycatcher is Oklahoma’s state bird, found in rural areas and near cities. Males and females have similar tails and eat insects. They differ in color and tail length, and work together in nesting. Their decline is unfortunate as they eat crop-damaging insects. The scissor-tailed flycatcher, also known as the swallow-tailed flycatcher, is the […]
Nevada has two state trees, the singleleaf pinyon pine and the bristlecone pine, both known for their unique characteristics. The singleleaf pinyon pine grows edible pine nuts and has single needles, while the bristlecone pine is the oldest known living tree species on Earth. Each of the 50 United States has a variety of state […]
The ring-necked pheasant is South Dakota’s state bird, originally imported from Asia in the early 1900s. The male bird has distinctive coloration and is considered a delicacy. The bird’s habitat is mainly agricultural, and it lays six to twelve eggs on the ground. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has a plan […]
The Massachusetts state seal has evolved over time, reflecting the history and important issues of the region and its people. The first seal depicted a Native American Algonquian, while the current seal features a buckskin Algonquian Indian holding a bow in peace. The seal is an official signature and confers governmental approval and constitutional authority […]
Mississippi’s state bird is the thrush, chosen by the state legislature in 1944. Thrushes are native to Mississippi and known for their vocalization and ability to mimic other species. They are also the official state bird of Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. State legislatures in the United States (USA) often choose birds, flowers, and other […]
