H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

State of Georgia flag

I’d like you to learn a bit more about the State of Georgia, where I live with my family. I’m just writing some information that pertains to birds, at the same time, other people should know more about this beautiful State.

Adoption of the Georgia State Bird

In 1928, the school children of Georgia selected the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) as the state bird. According toNature Magazine(April, 1932)

Brown Thrasher

“The Campaign was inaugurated by the Fifth District of the State Federation of Women’s Clubs and was sponsored by the Atlanta Bird Club and kindred groups.”

Proposals were made to the Legislature and bills to adopt the brown thrasher as the state bird were introduced, but no action was taken.

On April 6, 1935, the brown thrasher was declared the state bird of Georgia by proclamation of Governor Eugene Talmadge.

Thirty-five years later, at the urging of the Garden Clubs of Georgia, the Georgia General Assembly passed Joint Resolution No. 128, that designated the brown thrasher the official Georgia State Bird and the Bobwhite Quail the official Georgia State Game Bird. The resolution was approved on March 20, 1970.

The Georgia Code

The following information is excerpted from the Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 50-3-50.

TITLE 50 – STATE GOVERNMENT.
CHAPTER 3.
SECTION 50-3-50.

50-3-50. The brown thrasher is designated as the official Georgia state bird.

All photographs are © H.J. Ruiz – “My Backyard Visitors”