Florida lawmaker no longer wants mockingbird as state bird, proposes another

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, introduced legislation to change the state bird from the mockingbird to the Florida scrub-jay.

SB 162 reads that the Florida scrub-jay is the “only” bird species that is “endemic” to the state.

The bill explains how the scrub-jay is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is considered a threatened species by the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

According to the legislation, the bird measures nine to 11 inches and has blue wings, head and tail. Additionally, the scrub-jay has a gray back and underparts as well as a whitish forehead and neck.

The mockingbird has been recognized as Florida’s state bird for nearly 100 years, originally being designated in 1927.

Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas also refer to the mockingbird as their state bird.

Polsky previously filed a bill to change the state bird during the 2023 Legislative Session, but it died in its first committee.