And for over 70 years the mockingbird has represented the state of Arkansas in its official capacity as the state bird. Some people have no reservations about that. I, however, do. I don't deny the mockingbird its basic right to be a mockingbird, and I would fight to the death to defend that right. But, I don't want the mockingbird to represent me ornithologically.
State birds are an odd study.
It seems that some states actually put some thought into choosing a unique bird to represent them, while other states let, it appears, someone else do their thinking for them. There seems to be at least one state that is confused. Seven states boast the cardinal as their state bird. Six boast the western meadowlark. Louisiana, being the independent thinkers they are, has the brown pelican.