Jane Stewart asks:

<I thought the Goldfinch was our state bird?>

The Willow Goldfinch is, technically, the state bird (RCW 1.20.040.
Unfortunately, it sort of no longer exists as a true species. I don't think
this writer was looking for the legal state bird, but perhaps a species we
(birders) associate with our state (of mind?, as in albatross equals seasick).
Most state birds are chosen (usually by young school kids as was the case
here) by looks only, sometimes name (Baltimore Oriole = Maryland). A notable
exception is one state's bird, named for another state . . . which one?
------------------------------------------------
Fred Bird
fredbird at halcyon.com
1249 NE 92nd Street Snohomish County Council staff
Seattle, Washington 98115 206-388-3494
206-526-5671