TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Legislature will revisit changing its official state bird in the upcoming session.
Senate Bill 150, filed earlier this month by Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, proposes making the American flamingo the state bird and the Florida jay the state songbird.
The current state bird is the mockingbird, which was designated nearly 100 years ago in 1927. It is also the state bird of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
Lawmakers proposed changes in previous legislative sessions, but the bill failed to pass.
Flamingos have become an iconic symbol of Florida, with official state agencies such as the Florida Lottery adopting the flamingo image. This colorful bird has been spotted across the state in recent years following hurricanes, but overhunting and habitat loss dating back to the 19th century means it is now primarily found in the Caribbean.
The Florida jay is Florida’s only endemic bird, and in addition to being a native species, it can only occur in the Sunshine State. This species, which has blue and gray plumage, is considered endangered due to habitat loss due to humans. It lives in scrubland found only in central Florida and a small portion of the Atlantic coast.
On Tuesday, the bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Appropriations on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
