What Is the State Bird of Texas?

The official bird of Texas is the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), a species celebrated for its remarkable vocal abilities, fearless personality, and deep cultural significance in the Lone Star State. Chosen as the state bird in 1927, the Northern Mockingbird embodies Texan resilience, independence, and natural beauty. This article explores why the mockingbird was selected, its biological traits, behavioral patterns, ecological role, and how birdwatchers can best observe this iconic species across Texas—making it essential reading for anyone asking what is the bird for Texas.

Historical Background: How the Northern Mockingbird Became Texas’s Symbol

The designation of the Northern Mockingbird as Texas’s official state bird reflects both historical sentiment and widespread public admiration. In 1927, the Texas Legislature officially adopted the bird after a campaign led by the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs, an influential civic organization at the time that advocated for conservation and education.

Prior to this decision, several birds were considered, including the Northern Cardinal and the Mockingbird’s close relative, the Gray Catbird. However, the Northern Mockingbird stood out due to its prevalence throughout the state, its bold behavior, and its extraordinary singing ability. Unlike many birds that migrate seasonally, the mockingbird is a year-round resident across most of Texas, reinforcing its symbolic connection to the region’s enduring spirit.

The choice also aligned with broader early 20th-century efforts to promote native wildlife appreciation. At a time when habitat loss and unregulated hunting threatened many species, naming a beloved local bird as a state symbol helped raise awareness about conservation. Today, the mockingbird appears on Texas license plates, official seals, and even university mascots—most notably at the University of Houston, whose teams are nicknamed the Cougars but feature a mockingbird in their visual identity.

Biological Profile: Understanding the Northern Mockingbird

To fully appreciate what makes the bird for Texas so distinctive, it's important to understand its scientific classification and physical characteristics.

• Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos (meaning "many-tongued mimic")
• Family: Mimidae (mimic thrushes)
• Length: 8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
• Wingspan: 12–15 inches (30–38 cm)
• Weight: 1.6–2.0 oz (45–58 g)
• Lifespan: Up to 8 years in the wild; some individuals live over 14 years

The Northern Mockingbird has a sleek, gray upper body, white underparts, and prominent white wing patches visible during flight. Its long tail and upright posture make it easy to identify even from a distance. Males and females look nearly identical, though males tend to be slightly larger and more vocal.

Vocal Mastery: Why the Mockingbird Sings So Much

One of the most defining traits of the Northern Mockingbird—and a key reason it became the state bird of Texas—is its complex and varied song. A single male can learn and repeat over 200 different phrases, mimicking not only other bird calls (such as cardinals, jays, and wrens) but also mechanical sounds like car alarms, cell phone ringtones, and barking dogs.

Singing serves multiple purposes:

1. Territory Defense: Males sing aggressively during breeding season (March through July) to ward off rivals.
2. Attracting Mates: Females are drawn to males with larger repertoires, which signal fitness and experience.
3. Nocturnal Singing: Unpaired males may sing at night, especially under artificial light—a behavior increasingly common in urban areas.

This vocal versatility has made the mockingbird a powerful cultural symbol. In literature and folklore, it represents truth, clarity, and the power of voice—qualities often associated with Texan individualism.

Cultural Significance Across Texas and Beyond

The Northern Mockingbird isn't just Texas’s state bird—it holds symbolic importance in several Southern states, including Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird cemented its place in American consciousness as a representation of innocence and moral integrity.

In Texas specifically, the bird resonates with regional values such as self-reliance, vigilance, and adaptability. It fearlessly defends its nest, often dive-bombing much larger animals—including humans—that come too close. This tenacity mirrors the mythos of the independent Texan spirit.

Folk traditions in rural Texas sometimes interpret the mockingbird’s presence near a home as a sign of good luck or protection. Conversely, harming a mockingbird is widely considered taboo, echoing the famous line from Lee’s novel: “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Habitat and Distribution Across Texas

The Northern Mockingbird thrives in a wide range of environments, making it one of the most adaptable birds in the state. You can find it in:

• Urban neighborhoods and city parks
• Suburban backyards with shrubs and trees
• Rural farmland edges and fencerows
• Desert scrublands in West Texas
• Coastal thickets along the Gulf Coast

Its adaptability stems from its omnivorous diet. During spring and summer, mockingbirds eat insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders. In fall and winter, they switch to berries and fruits, including those from holly, mulberry, and cactus plants.

Because of its tolerance for human-modified landscapes, the mockingbird has actually expanded its range over the past century. While deforestation harms many species, the creation of suburban green spaces with lawns, hedges, and ornamental fruiting plants has benefited the mockingbird.

Best Places to Observe the State Bird of Texas

If you're interested in seeing the Northern Mockingbird in its natural habitat, here are five top locations across Texas:

Location	Region	Best Time to Visit	Observation Tips
Zilker Park (Austin)	Central Texas	March–May	Listen for dawn chorus; watch open lawns for foraging birds
Hermann Park (Houston)	Gulf Coast	Year-round	Look near rose gardens and water features
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge	North Texas	April–June	Follow woodland trails with dense understory
Big Bend National Park	West Texas	February–July	Check desert washes and riparian zones
San Antonio Botanical Garden	South Central	Spring and Fall	Observe territorial singing from treetops

For optimal viewing, go early in the morning when mockingbirds are most active. Bring binoculars and listen carefully—you’ll often hear the bird before you see it. Note repeated phrases in the song; once you recognize the pattern, identification becomes easier.

Conservation Status and Environmental Challenges

The Northern Mockingbird is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Populations remain stable or increasing across most of its range, including Texas.

However, potential threats include:

• Urbanization: While mockingbirds tolerate cities, excessive light pollution disrupts nocturnal singing patterns and sleep cycles.
• Pesticide Use: Chemical treatments reduce insect availability, impacting food sources during breeding season.
• Climate Change: Shifts in temperature and rainfall could alter fruiting plant distributions, affecting winter survival.
• Window Collisions: Mockingbirds are prone to flying into glass, especially during aggressive territorial displays.

Simple actions can help protect them: installing window decals, planting native berry-producing shrubs, avoiding pesticide use, and providing fresh water sources.

Common Misconceptions About the Texas State Bird

Despite its fame, several myths persist about the Northern Mockingbird:

Myth 1: Mockingbirds are rare.
Reality: They are among the most common backyard birds in Texas, especially in suburbs.

Myth 2: Only males sing.
Reality: Females also sing, particularly during nest defense and in response to predators.

Myth 3: They mimic only birds.
Reality: Studies show they readily copy mechanical and environmental sounds, especially in urban settings.

Myth 4: All mockingbirds look alike.
Reality: Juveniles have spotted breasts and duller plumage, distinguishing them from adults.

Tips for Attracting Mockingbirds to Your Yard

If you want to welcome the official bird of Texas to your property, consider these proven strategies:

• Plant Native Shrubs: Include species like yaupon holly, agarita, and hackberry that provide cover and berries.
• Avoid Over-Trimming Hedges: Mockingbirds prefer dense, thorny vegetation for nesting.
• Provide Water: A shallow birdbath or fountain encourages bathing and drinking.
• Limit Pesticides: Allow insects to thrive as a natural food source.
• Install Open Perches: Tall poles or bare branches give them vantage points for singing.

Note: Because mockingbirds are territorial, they may become aggressive during nesting season. If they begin dive-bombing people or pets, temporarily remove feeders or water sources until fledging concludes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did Texas adopt the Northern Mockingbird as its state bird?
A: Texas officially designated the Northern Mockingbird as the state bird in 1927.

Q: Do mockingbirds migrate?
A: Most mockingbirds in Texas are non-migratory and remain in the same area year-round.

Q: Why do mockingbirds sing at night?
A: Unmated males often sing at night, especially in well-lit urban areas, to attract a mate.

Q: Are Northern Mockingbirds protected by law?
A: Yes, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm or capture them without a permit.

Q: Can I keep a mockingbird as a pet?
A: No. It is illegal to keep native wild birds as pets in the United States, including the Northern Mockingbird.